Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Will Resort to Weapons Again' if American Forces Invades.

President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.

Escalating Tensions and Accusations

Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."

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

A Frayed Partnership

The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Firm Response

Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.

"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.

From Insurgent to Leader

Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.

"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation

The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.

Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.

Political and Financial Pressure

American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.

At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.