Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' if US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.

A Strained Relationship

This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump came to office.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.

Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Broad Opposition

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Economic Pressure

The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.

Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.