Colombia's Leader Says 'I Would Resort to Weapons Again' if American Forces Invades.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations

Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."

Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

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

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Rebuttal

When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Economic Strains

The US revoked the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several associates.

At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.