Colombian President Gustavo Petro has denounced US President Donald Trump’s recent strikes on alleged drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea as ‘barbaric’ and lacking in humanitarian concern. The strikes, part of Operation Southern Spear, have killed an estimated 60 people, according to US officials. Petro argued that such military actions do not effectively combat drug trafficking and instead harm innocent lives.
Petro, a former Marxist guerrilla, criticized Trump’s approach as one of fear and aggression, emphasizing that the strikes do not address the root causes of drug trafficking. He suggested that some of the vessels targeted might be linked to cartels, but the civilian casualties remain a significant concern. The Colombian president stated that the victims, often poor fishermen, are not the primary targets of organized crime but are caught in the crossfire of large-scale military operations.
The US imposed sanctions on Petro following Trump’s accusations that he is a drug leader. This has intensified the already existing tensions between Colombia and the US, as both nations face challenges in their efforts to combat drug trafficking. The situation highlights the complex dynamics between the two countries, with Colombia’s decision to restrict intelligence sharing with the US adding to the diplomatic strain.
Operation Southern Spear, launched by the US military, is part of a broader strategy to counter narcoterrorism in the region. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has emphasized the need to target drug traffickers operating in Venezuela, which the Trump administration accuses of facilitating the smuggling of drugs into the United States. The ongoing conflict has raised questions about the effectiveness of military strikes in addressing the underlying issues of drug trafficking and the humanitarian impact of such interventions.