Colombia's President Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' should US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Escalating Threats and Accusations

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the business.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.

The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Strong Answer

In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Broad Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.

At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.