Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Growing Rhetoric and Accusations

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the business.

A Strained Alliance

The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Strong Response

When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.

"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition

The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.