Colombian President Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

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

Growing Threats coupled with Claims

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.

The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Response

Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.

"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.

Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation

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

Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Strains

The US revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.

Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.