Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' if United States Invades.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Growing Tensions and Claims

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Partnership

The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

The President's Firm Answer

Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection

Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.

At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.