Colombian President Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' if United States Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.

Rising Threats coupled with Allegations

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the trade.

A Deteriorating Alliance

The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Firm Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Strains

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.