Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the US of committing 'murder' following a strike carried out on a boat in Colombian territorial waters in September.
In a social media post, Petro accused the US of violating his country's sovereignty and killing a Colombian fisherman.
He stated that the Colombian boat was adrift with its distress signal activated due to an engine failure when it was struck. He demanded explanations from the US government regarding the event.
President Donald Trump had previously indicated that the US had targeted a 'drug-carrying submarine', leading to the death of two individuals during the incident.
Petro's statements come on the heels of a highly contentious series of US attacks on vessels in the Caribbean Sea, marking the first occasion where survivors have been reported. Trump's confirmation that the vessel was laden with 'mostly Fentanyl and other illegal narcotics' adds complexity to the narrative.
On the same platform, Trump has justified these operations as necessary to combat drug trafficking from Latin America to the US. However, human rights advocates have condemned the strikes, labeling them as 'extrajudicial executions', particularly in reference to the death of fisherman Alejandro Carranza, who was eliminated on September 15 while merely performing his fishing duties.
Amidst the increasing tensions, human rights advocates and political analysts are calling for a critical examination of US military practices in the region, highlighting the need for a balance between national security and respect for international sovereignty.
Despite Trump's claims of targeting drug operations, opponents question the legitimacy of the strikes and emphasize the devastating impact on innocent civilians, reiterating the call for accountability and transparency in US military engagements.
