Colombia's Leader Warns 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' if American Forces Invades.

President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.

Rising Threats coupled with Accusations

Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.

A Deteriorating Alliance

The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.

The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.

The President's Strong Rebuttal

When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.

"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.

"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.

From Insurgent to President

He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.

"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection

The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.

A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions

American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.