Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' should United States Launches an Attack.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Alliance

This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Response

When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to President

The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security along with Broad Rejection

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

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.

Political and Economic Strains

Washington revoked his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.