Lizbeth Perez, a resident of Taganga on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, expressed concern for her uncle, Alejandro Carranza, who has been missing since September 14. Carranza left for a fishing trip but did not return. The following day, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a military strike targeting a vessel in international waters linked to drug trafficking, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals identified as associated with violent drug cartels. Perez and her family are uncertain whether Carranza was on that boat, expressing that they rely on news reports for information about his fate.
Since the strikes began, over 83 people have reportedly been killed in at least 21 operations against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean, which expanded into the Pacific. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that these actions aim to combat narco-terrorism and protect American citizens from drug-related harms. The Trump administration has characterized these strikes as necessary self-defense measures.
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro criticized the operations, claiming that Colombian citizens were among those killed, including Carranza. The White House challenged Petro’s statements and has pushed back against his comments. In response to the strikes, Petro ordered a cessation of intelligence-sharing with the U.S., although his defense minister reaffirmed ongoing cooperation in counter-narcotics efforts.
Family members of Carranza allege he was mischaracterized by officials, citing a past criminal history irrelevant to present circumstances. Concerns have been raised about the legality of U.S. actions, with some experts arguing that military force cannot be justified without evidence of imminent threats. Meanwhile, local fishermen, like 81-year-old Juan Assis Tejeda, express fears of being mistakenly targeted during their legitimate fishing activities amid concerns about potential military action against Venezuela.
The U.S. has stated its intention to designate the Venezuelan government under Nicolás Maduro as a criminal organization, further fueling speculation about possible military action in the region. As tensions rise, the communities along the coast are left to navigate the uncertainty of their future.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgqlqjz30zxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss