Colombian Leader Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Again' if US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Growing Tensions and Claims

Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Answer

When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.

"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Strains

The US revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and various associates.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.