Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' should US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations

Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Rebuttal

In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.