Colombian President Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations

Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Response

In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.

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

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.

From Fighter to President

The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection

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

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

Washington revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.

Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.