Colombia's President Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if United States Launches an Attack.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Rhetoric and Accusations

Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."

While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.

A Strained Partnership

This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Firm Answer

In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.