Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' if United States Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations

Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.

Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.

"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.

At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.