Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' if US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Growing Threats coupled with Allegations

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Relationship

This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Broad Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Strains

The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.