Colombian Leader Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations

Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."

While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Firm Response

Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.

Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various associates.

At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.