Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Threats coupled with Claims

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."

Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Defiant Answer

In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security and Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.

At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.