Colombian Leader Warns 'I Would Resort to Weapons Once More' if United States Invades.

Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.

Rising Tensions and Allegations

Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."

While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.

A Frayed Relationship

The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Answer

Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.

"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.

From Insurgent to Statesman

The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition

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

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.

Bilateral and Economic Pressure

The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.

At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.