Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' should US Launches an Attack.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia stands as 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 illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.

Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.

Petro's Defiant Answer

When asked if military intervention similar 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 demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.

"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to President

He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.

"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.

Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition

Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.

Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.

Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.