Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations

Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.

A Frayed Partnership

The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Defiant Response

When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

The US cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.