Colombian Leader Warns 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' if United States Invades.

The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.

Escalating Threats coupled with Claims

Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."

Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.

A Strained Partnership

This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Response

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.

"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.

"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition

Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Strains

The US revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.

Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.