Colombian Leader Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Escalating Tensions and Allegations

Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Defiant Response

Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Political and Financial Strains

Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.

Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.