Colombian Leader Declares 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' if United States Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.

A Frayed Partnership

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.

Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.

Petro's Strong Answer

Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.

"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.

"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.