Colombian President Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' should US Launches an Attack.

The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric and Claims

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.

A Strained Relationship

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Response

When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.

"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Political and Economic Sanctions

Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.