Colombian President Says 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.

Rising Tensions and Accusations

Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

The country has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.

The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.

Petro's Firm Answer

When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.

"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.

Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition

The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Strains

Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.