Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Growing Rhetoric and Accusations

Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.

Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.

"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Strains

The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.

Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.