Colombian President Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' should US Invades.

The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations

Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.

The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Answer

In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," 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 though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition

Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.

Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.