Colombian President Declares 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' if US Launches an Attack.

The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Rhetoric and Claims

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.

A Frayed Partnership

Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Firm Response

When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition

Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Financial Pressure

The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.