Colombian Leader Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Rising Rhetoric and Allegations

Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump came to office.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Answer

Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.

"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.

Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.

Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.