Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.

Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Firm Rebuttal

When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.

"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.

Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.

Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.