Colombia's Leader Says 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims

Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly following Trump came to office.

Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled 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 subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Firm Answer

Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.

Political and Economic Sanctions

Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.