Colombia's President Declares 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' should US Invades.

President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.

Escalating Tensions and Claims

Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."

While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.

A Frayed Alliance

This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.

Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Strong Rebuttal

When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.

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

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to President

The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.

Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition

The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.

Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.

Political and Financial Sanctions

American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.

Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.