Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Rhetoric and Allegations

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.

A Frayed Alliance

The country has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

The President's Firm Response

In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.

From Fighter to President

The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.

At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.