Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' should US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

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

Growing Threats coupled with Accusations

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the business.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security and Broad Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.

At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.