Colombia's Leader Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' should United States Invades.

The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Rising Tensions and Accusations

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump was elected.

Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Answer

Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.

From Fighter to President

He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. 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 will take up arms again," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition

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

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.