Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.

Growing Rhetoric and Allegations

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.

Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.

The President's Strong Response

When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.

"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.

"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.