Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Again' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.

A Deteriorating Partnership

The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Answer

Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

The US withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.

Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.