Colombian Leader Declares 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' should US Invades.

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."

Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Economic Sanctions

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.