Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' should American Forces Invades.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Growing Tensions and Claims

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.

The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Defiant Response

In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.

Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection

The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Sanctions

Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.