Colombia's President Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' should American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric and Claims

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.

Colombia's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Financial Sanctions

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.