Colombian President Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' if United States Invades.

The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Growing Threats and Allegations

Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way tied to the trade.

A Deteriorating Partnership

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.

Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition

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

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.

Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.