Colombia's President Warns 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' if American Forces Invades.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Rising Threats and Accusations

Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."

Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.

A Deteriorating Alliance

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.

The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Defiant Response

When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition

The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

Washington revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.