Colombian President Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' if United States Launches an Attack.

The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Growing Rhetoric and Allegations

Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Response

Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, 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, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Statesman

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Strains

The US revoked his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.