Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Defiant Answer

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

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

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

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.