Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' should American Forces Invades.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.

Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous military action against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups 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 military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.

"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition

The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Strains

The US cancelled his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.