Colombian President Says 'I Would Return to Arms Again' if US Invades.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.

Colombia's Strong Response

Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Broad Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Sanctions

The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.

Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.