Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Growing Tensions coupled with Claims

Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Answer

When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.

Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.