Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' should US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.

Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Defiant Answer

When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

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

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition

The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Economic Strains

American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various associates.

Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.