Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' should US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Rising Threats and Claims

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar military action against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.

Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Response

When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.

Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection

Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Strains

Washington revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.