Colombia's President Says 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' should United States Launches an Attack.

President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Rising Threats and Accusations

Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."

Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Relationship

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.

"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several key allies.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.