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

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."

While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.

A Deteriorating Partnership

Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.

Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Answer

In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Leader

Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.

Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.