Colombia's President Declares 'I Will Return to Arms Once More' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

The country has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.

The President's Firm Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Broad Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Political and Economic Strains

Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.

At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.