Colombian President Says 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' should US Invades.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

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

Rising Rhetoric and Allegations

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Alliance

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Response

In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition

The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.