Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' if United States Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Escalating Threats coupled with Claims

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Response

Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

The US revoked his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.