Colombian Leader Warns 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' should US Invades.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Rhetoric and Allegations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.

A Frayed Relationship

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Response

Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Statesman

Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.

"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.

Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.