Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.

A Deteriorating Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump came to office.

The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Strains

The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.