Colombia's Leader Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Threats and Accusations

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."

While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.

Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Defiant Response

When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.