Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the trade.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Firm Rebuttal

In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.

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

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to President

He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Strains

Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several key allies.

Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.