Colombian President Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Rising Tensions and Accusations

Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.

A Strained Relationship

The country was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Rebuttal

In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.

"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.

Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.