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

Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Rising Tensions and Allegations

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Alliance

The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.

Petro's Strong Rebuttal

When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.