Colombian President Warns 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' if United States Invades.

President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations

Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to America."

Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Alliance

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Firm Answer

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to President

Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection

Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.

Political and Economic Sanctions

The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.