Colombian President Says 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Partnership

This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Answer

When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.

"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

The US revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.