Colombian President Warns 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' if American Forces Invades.

The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Tensions coupled with Claims

Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."

While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.

A Strained Partnership

The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.

The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Firm Response

When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

The US revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.

At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.