Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Would Return to Arms Once More' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Partnership

The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.

The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations 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 demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Response

When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.

"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.

Increased Security and Widespread Rejection

Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.

Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.