Colombia's Leader Says 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Rising Threats coupled with Accusations

Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.

The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.

Colombia's Firm Response

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

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.