Colombia's President Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Growing Tensions and Claims

Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Relationship

The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Strong Response

When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to President

Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Economic Pressure

The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.

Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.