Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Shall Take Up Arms Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Growing Threats coupled with Claims

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable military action against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.

The President's Firm Response

When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition

Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.

At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.