Colombia's President Warns 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Escalating Tensions and Allegations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.

Colombia's Firm Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Pressure

The US revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.