Colombia's President Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Partnership

The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.

The President's Strong Response

In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

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

Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various key allies.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.