Colombian Leader Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' should US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Rising Rhetoric and Claims

Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Alliance

Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Strong Response

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.

"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.

At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.