Colombia's Leader Says 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Again' if United States Invades.

The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Frayed Partnership

This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Defiant Answer

Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to President

Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.

"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Sanctions

Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.