Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Escalating Threats and Claims

Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump was elected.

Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Rebuttal

In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection

Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Economic Pressure

Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.

Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.