Colombian President Declares 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Rising Threats and Claims

Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Rebuttal

When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.

"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Leader

Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition

Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Pressure

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.