Colombia's President Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' should United States Invades.

Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations

Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.

A Strained Relationship

This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.

Petro's Defiant Answer

In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.

"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.

From Fighter to Statesman

Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.

"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.

Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.

Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.