Colombian President Warns 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' should US Invades.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations

Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Petro's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.

"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various key allies.

Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.