Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' should US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations

Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.

A Strained Relationship

Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.

Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.

The President's Defiant Answer

In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to President

He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.

"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.

Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.