Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' should US Invades.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

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

Rising Threats coupled with Claims

Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.

A Deteriorating Partnership

The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.

The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Strong Rebuttal

When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.

"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.

"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Political and Economic Pressure

Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of key allies.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.