Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' if United States Launches an Attack.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Response

Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to President

Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.