Colombian President Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of associates.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.