Colombian Leader Says 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' should US Invades.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

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

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.

A Strained Alliance

This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Firm Answer

When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.

"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.

Increased Security and Broad Rejection

Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Pressure

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.