Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' if US Launches an Attack.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations

Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar use of force against Colombia, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Rebuttal

When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.

"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Leader

Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.