Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' should US Invades.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims

Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly following Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Response

Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to President

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation

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

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.

Political and Financial Sanctions

American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.