Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Again' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Alliance

This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Defiant Rebuttal

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

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Widespread Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.