Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' if United States Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Growing Tensions coupled with Claims

Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.

A Frayed Alliance

The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly following Trump was elected.

The nation's illicit drug economy 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 disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Rebuttal

In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several associates.

Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.