Colombian President Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' should US Invades.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Leader

He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

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

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.