Colombia's President Warns 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Invades.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Growing Rhetoric and Allegations

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."

Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Alliance

The country has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured significantly since Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Response

Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."

The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.

Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation

Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Strains

The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.