Colombia's President Declares 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Threats coupled with Accusations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.

A Frayed Alliance

This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Answer

In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.