Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' should American Forces Invades.

President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Rising Tensions and Claims

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Alliance

The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.

The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.

"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.