Colombia's President Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Growing Threats and Claims

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.

Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.

The President's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection

The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.

Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.