Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Growing Tensions and Claims

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar military action against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."

While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.

Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Defiant Rebuttal

In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.