Colombia's President Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' should US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Threats and Claims

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.

A Frayed Partnership

This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.

Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.

The President's Firm Rebuttal

In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.

"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition

The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

Washington revoked his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.