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

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Growing Tensions coupled with Claims

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Alliance

This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Rebuttal

When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.

"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection

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

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.

Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.