Colombian Leader Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' if US Invades.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations

Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."

While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.

The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several key allies.

At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.