Colombian President Gustavo Petro has condemned U.S. airstrikes targeting alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea, labeling them an act of tyranny in a recent interview with the BBC. He has called for criminal proceedings against U.S. officials if investigations reveal that Colombian nationals were killed in the attacks, which have reportedly claimed 17 lives since they began earlier this month.
President Donald Trump has defended the airstrikes, arguing they are necessary to combat the influx of fentanyl and other illegal narcotics into the United States. However, the legitimacy of these strikes has been questioned by legal experts and lawmakers due to potential violations of international human rights laws.
Petro emphasized a more humanitarian approach, questioning, Why launch a missile if you could simply stop the boat and arrest the crew? He remarked that such actions are tantamount to murder, advocating for a strategy that prioritizes lives over lethal force.
During the BBC interview, he stated, We have a long history of collaborating with American agencies on maritime operations to seize cocaine without any fatalities. There is no need to kill anyone in these operations, stressing that the principle of proportionality in the use of force must be upheld.
The U.S. strikes in international waters, primarily targeting vessels linked to Venezuela, have raised international concern, especially as details regarding the incidents remain scant. The Trump administration claims that individuals from the Tren de Aragua gang were involved; however, this assertion is disputed.
In Washington, Democratic lawmakers are pressing for clarification on the legalities surrounding these strikes, with some United Nations experts labeling them as extrajudicial executions.
A White House spokesperson reaffirmed Trump's commitment to combat drug trafficking, emphasizing the use of every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into the U.S. Petro, however, accused the Trump administration of disrespecting Colombia and other South American nations, asserting that they will not bow down to the king.
Petro's administration continues to face challenges from the U.S. amidst heightened rhetoric as Trump has intensified enforcement actions against illegal immigration and drug trafficking in Latin America.
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