Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.

"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

The US revoked his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.