Colombian President Warns 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' should US Invades.

President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.

Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally involved in the business.

A Deteriorating Partnership

This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.

The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.

"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection

The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Strains

American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.

Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.