Colombian President Says 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Again' should United States Launches an Attack.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Rising Threats coupled with Allegations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.

A Strained Partnership

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.

Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.

Petro's Defiant Answer

When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

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

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.