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

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Rising Threats coupled with Accusations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.

A Strained Relationship

The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Rebuttal

Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.

"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.

At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.