Colombian President Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Escalating Threats and Claims

Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to President

Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.

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

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.

At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.