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

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations

Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.

The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Defiant Answer

In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."

Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Leader

The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.

"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Sanctions

The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.

Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.