Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' should US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Growing Rhetoric and Accusations

Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the business.

A Frayed Partnership

Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump was elected.

The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.

The President's Strong Answer

Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation

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

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various associates.

Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.