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

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.

A Deteriorating Alliance

The country has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.

Colombia's Defiant Response

When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security along with Broad Opposition

The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Sanctions

Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.