Colombian Leader Says 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' if US Invades.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Rising Threats coupled with Claims

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Defiant Answer

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.

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

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.

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

Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and various associates.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.