Colombian President Declares 'I Will Return to Arms Again' should US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous military action against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.

A Frayed Relationship

The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.

The President's Strong Answer

In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.