Colombian Leader Warns 'I Shall Return to Arms Again' should US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Escalating Threats and Accusations

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.

The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Increased Security and Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.