Colombian President Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats and Accusations

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.

A Frayed Partnership

Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.

The President's Firm Response

When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.

"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Political and Economic Pressure

American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.

At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.