Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has accused the United States of “murder” and violating Colombian sovereignty following a military strike on a boat he insists was an innocent fishing vessel. The accusation, made on social media, escalates tensions between the two nations over Washington’s aggressive anti-drug operations in the Caribbean.
Petro detailed on X that the Colombian boat was adrift with its distress signal activated due to an engine failure when it was struck by US forces in September. He identified the victim as fisherman Alejandro Carranza, emphasizing that Carranza had no connections to drug trafficking and his daily work involved fishing. Family members’ testimonies shared by Petro corroborate that Carranza was killed while fishing in Colombian territorial waters. The president stated, “We await explanations from the US government,” highlighting the diplomatic strain.
This incident is part of a broader US campaign under President Donald Trump, who has authorized multiple strikes on vessels alleged to be carrying drugs. Trump has defended these actions, stating they aim to stem the flow of narcotics like fentanyl into the United States. However, his administration has not provided evidence confirming the identities or activities of those targeted. The US operations have resulted in at least 27 deaths across several boat strikes since September, according to official figures released by the administration.
In a recent strike, Trump announced the destruction of a “drug-carrying submarine” on Thursday, resulting in two fatalities. He claimed the vessel was “loaded up with mostly Fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics,” and posted a video on Truth Social appearing to show the submarine. Two survivors, from Ecuador and Colombia, were captured and are being repatriated for prosecution. Petro confirmed the Colombian suspect’s return, noting he arrived in serious condition with brain trauma, sedated, and breathing with a ventilator, as reported by Colombia’s Interior Minister.
UN-appointed human rights experts have described the US strikes as “extrajudicial executions,” arguing that such summary killings are illegal even if they target confirmed narcotics traffickers. The lack of transparency from the US government has raised concerns about the legality and morality of the operations. Narco-submarines, often homemade and constructed in clandestine jungle shipyards, have been used for years to ferry cocaine from South America, but the current military approach marks a significant escalation in interdiction efforts.
Petro’s government has repeatedly criticized the US campaign, and last month, he called at the United Nations for criminal proceedings to be opened against Trump over the strikes. The accusations highlight a rift in US-Colombia relations, traditionally cooperative in anti-drug efforts. Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has also accused Trump of trying to make the South American nation “an American colony,” adding to regional tensions over US policy.
As the situation unfolds, diplomatic tensions may intensify, with Colombia demanding explanations and accountability. The US could face increased international pressure to justify its tactics, while the broader implications for regional security and drug policy remain uncertain. The repatriation of survivors and potential prosecutions may provide more details, but the conflict underscores the challenges and controversies in combating drug trafficking through military means in international waters.