Colombian President Declares 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Threats coupled with Allegations

Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.

A Deteriorating Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.