Colombian Leader Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' if American Forces Invades.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.

"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various associates.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.