President Gustavo Petro of Colombia has strongly criticized the U.S. military operation that resulted in the sinking of a vessel he asserts was transporting Colombian nationals. During his address at the United Nations General Assembly last month, Petro condemned the incident, accusing the Trump administration of using the attack as a pretext to target boats suspected of smuggling drugs from Venezuela to the United States. The administration has justified the operation by claiming it is necessary to combat drug trafficking and protect national security.
The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Petro’s government has called for an independent investigation into the attack, emphasizing that the boat was not involved in any illegal activities. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has defended its actions, stating that the operation was a necessary measure to disrupt drug trafficking networks. However, the U.S. has not provided specific evidence to support its claims, leading to widespread criticism from Colombia and other countries in the region.
Colombia’s government has reiterated its concerns over the potential misuse of the incident for political purposes. Petro’s administration has warned that such actions could harm bilateral relations and undermine efforts to address the broader issue of drug trafficking in the region. The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between the United States and Latin American nations, particularly regarding the use of military force and the enforcement of international law.