US Strikes Spark Outrage in Colombia
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has sharply criticized recent US airstrikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea, branding them an “act of tyranny.” Speaking to the BBC, Petro argued that if Colombians were killed in the attacks, criminal charges should be brought against US officials.
The strikes, authorized by President Donald Trump, have reportedly killed 17 people this month. Trump claims the operations are necessary to combat fentanyl and narcotics smuggling into the US. However, legal experts and human rights advocates warn the actions may violate international law.
“Why Kill When You Can Arrest?”
Petro questioned the justification for missile attacks, saying:
“Why launch a missile if you could simply stop the boat and arrest the crew? That’s murder.”
He stressed that Colombia has long cooperated with US agencies to intercept drug shipments without fatalities. According to Petro, the principle of proportionality is violated “if you use anything more than a pistol” in such operations.
International Backlash and UN Concerns
Reports indicate most strikes targeted Venezuelan boats, but details remain unclear. The Trump administration claimed members of the Tren de Aragua gang were on board the first vessel hit—an allegation still disputed.
Democratic lawmakers in Washington have demanded clarity from the White House. Meanwhile, United Nations experts described the attacks as potential extrajudicial executions.
Petro vs. Trump: A Growing Rift
The dispute adds to already tense relations. Petro accused Trump’s policies of humiliating Latin America and declared his country would not “bow down to the king.” He argued it was Trump—not Colombia—isolating the US through aggressive foreign policies.
The Trump administration has also designated several Latin American criminal groups, including Venezuela’s Cartel of the Suns, as terrorist organizations. In recent months, the US has deployed naval vessels and thousands of Marines to the southern Caribbean.
What This Means for Latin America
Petro’s fiery remarks highlight growing unease in South America over US military actions. While Washington frames the strikes as a war on drugs, critics see them as a dangerous escalation that risks undermining sovereignty and human rights.