Colombian Leader Says 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Again' should United States Invades.

Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Rising Tensions and Claims

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.

Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.

Petro's Strong Response

Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed 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, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.

"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.

Political and Financial Pressure

Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.

At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.