Colombia's Leader Says 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Again' should US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric and Claims

Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.

A Strained Alliance

This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.

Petro's Firm Answer

Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.

Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.