Colombia's President Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Rising Threats coupled with Claims

Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.

A Frayed Alliance

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured significantly since Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Response

When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation

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

Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

The US cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.

Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.