Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' if United States Launches an Attack.

The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Growing Rhetoric and Claims

Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."

While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.

The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Response

In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.

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

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.

Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

The US cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.