Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' should United States Launches an Attack.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats and Claims

Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Response

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

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.

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

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Statesman

He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.

"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Broad Opposition

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

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.

Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.