Colombian President Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' if US Invades.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations

Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.

A Deteriorating Alliance

This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump came to office.

The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.

The President's Defiant Response

When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition

The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.

Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.