Colombia's President Declares 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' if United States Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations

Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Partnership

Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.