Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Rising Tensions and Claims

Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."

While 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 business.

A Frayed Relationship

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Answer

When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Statesman

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.