Colombian Leader Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' should US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.

Growing Threats and Accusations

Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.

Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Response

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several associates.

Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.