Colombian Leader Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Growing Tensions and Accusations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Answer

In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition

The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Strains

Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.

At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.