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

President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Rising Tensions and Accusations

Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.

A Strained Relationship

The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly after Trump was elected.

Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.

Colombia's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.

"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition

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

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.