Colombian Leader Warns 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' should American Forces Invades.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Response

In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various associates.

Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.