Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' should US Invades.

Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.

Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations

Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.

A Frayed Alliance

Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.

The President's Strong Response

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

Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.

From Insurgent to Leader

The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.

"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.

Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition

The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Pressure

American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.