Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Again' should United States Launches an Attack.

The US President and 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 with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Growing Tensions and Claims

Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump came to office.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Strong Answer

Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Statesman

He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Political and Economic Strains

Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.

Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.