US airstrikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea are an 'act of tyranny,' according to Colombia's President Gustavo Petro, who discussed the issue in a BBC interview. He has also called for criminal proceedings against US officials if investigations indicate that Colombians were killed in these operations.
President Donald Trump has justified the military strikes, claiming they are necessary to prevent the influx of fentanyl and other illicit narcotics into the US, with reports stating that these airstrikes have resulted in at least 17 fatalities.
Legal experts and lawmakers in the US have raised concerns that these actions may violate international human rights laws. Petro questioned the need for such military force, asking, 'Why launch a missile if you could simply stop the boat and arrest the crew?' He stated, 'That's what one would call murder.'
In his interview, Petro emphasized that there should be 'zero deaths' when addressing drug smuggling, pointing out a history of successful maritime seizures without casualties. He criticized the use of excessive force, arguing that law enforcement should only involve proportional response, stating, 'if you use anything more than a pistol, you're violating the principle of proportionality.'
The US strikes, primarily conducted in international waters and reportedly targeting vessels linked to Venezuela, have met with scrutiny due to a lack of detailed information on targets and those killed in action. Reports have surfaced disputing claims that members of the Tren de Aragua gang were aboard the first boat attacked.
Democrats in Congress are pressing the White House for clarification on the legality of these military actions, which United Nations experts have described as extrajudicial executions. Meanwhile, the White House maintains that Trump is committed to using all available resources to terminate the drug threat in America.
During the interview, which took place in New York amid global diplomatic discussions at the United Nations, Petro asserted that the Trump administration has showcased a disrespectful attitude towards his nation, declaring that South America would not concede to American hegemony.
Trump's recent surge in hardline immigration and trade rhetoric, including the designation of various narcotics organizations as terrorist groups, has further strained relations. The US has also reinforced its military presence in the Caribbean, dispatching additional naval units and troops to combat drug-related activities.
Ultimately, Petro's criticisms reflect a deepening political divide, with him stating, 'It is Trump who is isolating the United States with his foreign policies.'
