Colombian Leader Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Growing Tensions and Allegations

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Alliance

This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.

The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.

Petro's Strong Response

When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.