Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' should US Invades.

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims

Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.

The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Defiant Response

In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.

Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.