Colombian Leader Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' should United States Launches an Attack.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats coupled with Allegations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Response

Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition

The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.

Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.