Colombian President Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' should US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.

Growing Tensions and Claims

Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."

Although 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 connected to the business.

A Deteriorating Partnership

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.

Petro's Defiant Answer

Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.