Colombian Leader Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' if US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.

A Strained Alliance

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.

Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Defiant Answer

When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.

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

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.

"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security along with Broad Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Economic Strains

The US withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various associates.

At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.