Colombian Leader Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Rising Rhetoric and Claims

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Answer

When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition

The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.

Political and Economic Strains

American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.