Colombian Leader Declares 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' if US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations

Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.

A Frayed Relationship

The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Economic Pressure

Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.