Colombian President Gustavo Petro has described recent US airstrikes targeting alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea as an “act of tyranny” during a BBC interview. He indicated that if investigations reveal that Colombians were killed in these strikes, there should be criminal proceedings against US officials involved.
According to Petro, 17 fatalities have been reported since the airstrikes commenced earlier this month. President Donald Trump has defended these operations, claiming they are essential to curb the influx of fentanyl and other illegal drugs into the United States. However, the legality of the strikes has been questioned by legal experts and lawmakers, particularly regarding potential violations of international human rights laws.
In his interview, Petro criticized the use of missile strikes, arguing that there should be “zero deaths” in the efforts to stop vessels suspected of drug smuggling. He emphasized Colombia’s history of cooperating with US agencies for maritime drug seizures without loss of life, asserting that deadly force is unnecessary. Petro remarked that employing force beyond what is required, such as missiles, constitutes a violation of the principle of proportionality.
While the Trump administration has stated that these strikes have primarily targeted areas associated with the Venezuelan border, details about the specific targets and casualties have been sparse. Some congressional Democrats have voiced concerns regarding the legality of these actions, and UN experts have labeled them as extrajudicial executions.
When questioned about Petro’s comments, the White House reiterated Trump’s commitment to using all available resources to combat drug trafficking and bring those responsible to justice. Petro, while attending a United Nations meeting, stated that his country would not submit to external pressures, asserting that it is Trump’s policies that are isolating the United States. He also recalled a previous instance where Trump labeled him a terrorist during his campaign.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8rjp178mno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss