Colombian Leader Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations

Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.

The President's Firm Response

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.

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

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.

"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Political and Economic Pressure

Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.