US Strikes in Caribbean Spark Controversy: Colombia Claims Victims Were Its Citizens

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has stated that a boat recently bombed by the US was Colombian with Colombian citizens inside, an allegation that the White House has labeled as baseless.

The US has conducted at least four strikes in the Caribbean in recent weeks, claiming to target narco-traffickers and resulting in 21 fatalities. However, they have not provided details or evidence regarding the identities of those aboard the vessels, prompting backlash and concerns over potential breaches of international law.

Recent discussions in the US Senate attempted to limit President Trump's military action against these boats but were ultimately rejected in a close vote. Senator Adam Schiff remarked on the controversial nature of these strikes, while Petro characterized the situation as a newly opened war scenario in the Caribbean.

In his public statements, Petro emphasized the humanitarian aspect, urging families of the victims to come forward. He criticized the strikes as an act of aggression against Latin America and condemned the framing of the mission as a part of a broader war for oil rather than simply targeting smuggling.

While the US maintains that the strikes are aimed at combating drug trafficking, the context of these operations is under scrutiny, reflecting a fraught diplomatic relationship between the two nations.

Petro's assertion underscores the need for further conversations among Caribbean foreign ministers in response to the ongoing strikes, as global calls for clarity and accountability grow louder in the region.