Colombian President Says 'I Would Return to Arms Again' if United States Launches an Attack.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.

Rising Threats coupled with Accusations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Answer

Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.

Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.