Colombia's President Says 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' if US Invades.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."

While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the illicit industry.

A Strained Partnership

The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.

The President's Firm Rebuttal

When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.

"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Leader

He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.

"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Widespread Rejection

The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.

Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.