Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' should American Forces Invades.

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Partnership

The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump came to office.

Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.

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

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several associates.

Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.