Colombian Leader Warns 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' should American Forces Invades.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Rising Tensions and Accusations

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.

The President's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.

"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.

Political and Financial Sanctions

American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.

At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.