Colombia's President Declares 'I Would Take Up Arms Once More' should US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Rising Rhetoric and Allegations

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.

Colombia's Firm Response

Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.