Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Take Up Arms Once More' if United States Intervenes Militarily.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.

Growing Rhetoric and Accusations

Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Partnership

Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.

Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Answer

Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.

"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.