Colombian President Gustavo Petro has asserted that a recent US bombing of a boat in the Caribbean actually struck a vessel carrying Colombian citizens. This assertion has been met with a strong denial from the White House, which has labeled the claim as “baseless.”.
The United States has conducted at least four such strikes in the region over recent weeks, resulting in the deaths of 21 individuals. The US government maintains that these operations, carried out in international waters, were aimed at dismantling narco-trafficking networks. However, concrete evidence or details regarding the targets have not been publicly disclosed, leading to regional condemnation and concerns about potential violations of international law.
Adding to the controversy, the US Senate recently voted against a measure that would have restricted President Donald Trump’s authority to conduct such strikes without congressional approval.
President Petro responded to a statement made by Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who indicated his intention to vote against strikes on Caribbean vessels, amidst efforts by some lawmakers to challenge the executive use of military force. Petro remarked, “A new war scenario has opened up: the Caribbean,” and expressed his belief that the targeted boat was Colombian and contained Colombian nationals. He urged the families of those potentially affected to come forward, adding, “There is no war against smuggling; there is a war for oil and it must be stopped by the world. The aggression is against all of Latin America and the Caribbean.”.
The White House issued a statement expressing disappointment, stating, “We look forward to President Petro publicly retracting his baseless and reprehensible statement.” The statement also acknowledged policy differences but affirmed the US commitment to cooperation on shared priorities like regional security.
Petro announced his intention to convene a meeting of all Caribbean foreign ministers to discuss these strikes. The US initiated these operations on September 2nd, targeting vessels off the Venezuelan coast that they claim were involved in illegal drug transport. The Senate’s vote, which failed 48-51, underscores the growing political debate surrounding the use of military force and executive powers in counter-narcotics operations.