Colombia's Leader Says 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' if US Launches an Attack.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Rising Threats coupled with Accusations

Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.

A Deteriorating Alliance

Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Strong Answer

Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to President

Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.

At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.