Colombian President Warns 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' should United States Invades.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations

Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to President

He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.

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

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition

The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.