Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Would Return to Arms Again' should United States Invades.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Threats and Allegations

Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.

A Deteriorating Partnership

The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.

Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Strong Response

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.

"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.