Colombia's President Declares 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Invades.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Escalating Threats and Accusations

Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.

A Frayed Partnership

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.

The President's Firm Response

In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Broad Opposition

Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.

Political and Economic Sanctions

American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.

At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.