Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' if American Forces Invades.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Escalating Tensions and Allegations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.

A Strained Alliance

This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Response

When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.

Increased Security along with Broad Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.