Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' if United States Invades.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.

Rising Tensions and Accusations

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Alliance

Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Response

Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.

"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to President

He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.