Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' if US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.

The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Firm Response

In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to President

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition

Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.