Colombia's President Warns 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Intervenes Militarily.

President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.

Escalating Threats and Claims

Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.

Petro's Defiant Rebuttal

In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Statesman

The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.

"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition

The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several associates.

Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.