Colombian President Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' should US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Rising Threats and Allegations

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.

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

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.

"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition

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

Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.