Colombian President Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' should United States Invades.

The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.

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

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."

While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.

A Deteriorating Alliance

This nation for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.

The President's Firm Answer

When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.

"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.

"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.

From Fighter to President

Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.

Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.

Bilateral and Financial Strains

The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.

At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.