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

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

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

Growing Threats and Claims

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump was elected.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Answer

In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.