Colombian President Warns 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Rising Rhetoric and Claims

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.

The President's Defiant Answer

When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Statesman

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.