Colombian President Gustavo Petro has condemned US President Donald Trump’s strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea, calling Trump a ‘barbarian’ and criticizing the operations as ineffective against drug traffickers. The strikes, part of a broader US effort to combat drug trafficking, have sparked diplomatic tensions, with Colombia restricting intelligence-sharing with the US following Trump’s recent sanctions on Petro.
Petro, a former M-19 Marxist guerrilla, accused Trump of targeting poor boatmen rather than drug traffickers, stating that the actions do not contribute to curbing organized crime. ‘He wants to frighten us,’ Petro said, describing the victims as ‘poor boatmen’ hired by cartels. He emphasized that the strikes do not target the actual drug traffickers, who remain unscathed by the military operations.
The US imposed sanctions on Petro last month after Trump labeled him a drug leader, further straining bilateral relations. Colombia has historically cooperated with the US on security matters, particularly in dealing with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government and fighting drug trafficking. However, their policy alignment has shifted under Petro, whose leadership has prioritized a different approach to regional security compared to previous administrations.
Despite the tensions, Colombia’s Interior Minister Armando Benedetti clarified that the country would continue cooperating with US federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI. The US has launched at least 20 strikes in the region since September, killing an estimated 8,000 people. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the launch of Operation Southern Spear against ‘narcoterrorists’ in the region, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.
CNN reported that as part of the operation, Trump had been briefed on target options in Venezuela, where he has accused Maduro of helping cartels smuggle drugs into the US. The strikes have raised concerns about civilian casualties and the effectiveness of military operations in dismantling drug trafficking networks. Critics argue that the US approach is not addressing the root causes of drug trafficking, such as corruption and weak governance in the region.
The ongoing tensions between Colombia and the US highlight the complexities of combating transnational drug trafficking. While the US seeks to disrupt smuggling routes, Colombian leaders are concerned about the human cost and long-term impact on civilian populations. The situation underscores the challenges of balancing military action with diplomatic efforts in a region plagued by organized crime and political instability.