Colombian Leader Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Growing Tensions and Claims

Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Rebuttal

In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

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

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.