Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims

Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Firm Answer

When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security and Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.

At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.