Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' if United States Invades.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.

Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations

Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."

While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Defiant Response

When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection

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

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Sanctions

American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.