Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Invades.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Growing Threats coupled with Claims

Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly since Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Defiant Rebuttal

In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.

Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Economic Strains

The US revoked Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.