Colombian President Warns 'I Will Resort to Weapons Once More' if United States Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.

Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims

Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."

While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.

A Deteriorating Relationship

The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.

Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.

Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal

When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."

President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.

"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.

"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to President

He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.

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

Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition

The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.

Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.

Diplomatic and Financial Strains

Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several associates.

Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.