Colombian President Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Again' should United States Launches an Attack.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Growing Tensions and Accusations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump was elected.

Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Firm Answer

When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection

The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.

Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.