Colombian President Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if United States Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Rising Threats coupled with Accusations

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.

The President's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection

Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Political and Economic Sanctions

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.