Colombia's President Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Growing Tensions and Allegations

Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.

A Deteriorating Partnership

Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.

The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Answer

In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.

"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

The US cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.