Colombian Leader Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' should US Invades.

President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Escalating Threats coupled with Claims

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Alliance

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.

The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.

Colombia's Defiant Response

Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.

From Fighter to Statesman

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition

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

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Political and Economic Strains

American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various key allies.

Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.