Colombian Leader Says 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Again' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Rising Rhetoric and Claims

Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous military action against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.

A Strained Partnership

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.

The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Answer

When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.

Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition

The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.