Colombia's Leader Declares 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Once More' if United States Intervenes Militarily.

Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.

"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.

Rising Tensions coupled with Claims

Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."

While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the trade.

A Deteriorating Relationship

This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.

Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal

In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, 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 these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.

"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.

"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.

From Fighter to Statesman

The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.

Heightened Measures along with Widespread Opposition

Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.

A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.

Diplomatic and Economic Pressure

American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.

At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.