Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Will Return to Arms Again' if United States Launches an Attack.

President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Defiant Response

Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

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

Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Economic Sanctions

American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.

Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.