Colombian President Says 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' should United States Invades.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations

Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.

A Deteriorating Alliance

This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.

The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Firm Response

In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several associates.

Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.