Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Return to Arms Once More' should US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Firm Response

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.

Increased Security and Widespread Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.