Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Again' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.

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

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection

Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

Washington revoked his travel authorization following he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.