Colombia's President Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Again' if United States Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations

Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.

A Frayed Relationship

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump was elected.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Defiant Response

When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

The US withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.

Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.