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

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Rising Tensions and Allegations

Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."

While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.

A Strained Relationship

This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.

Colombia's Defiant Response

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Financial Sanctions

The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.

Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.