Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' if US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations

Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Response

In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.

Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.