Colombian President Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' should American Forces Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Rising Rhetoric and Allegations

Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.

A Strained Relationship

The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.

The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.

The President's Firm Response

When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection

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

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel 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 troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.