US-Colombia Tensions Rise Over Bombed Boat In Caribbean

Post by : Raina Nasser

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the United States of bombing a boat that he claims belonged to Colombia and had Colombian citizens on board. The statement came after the US carried out several strikes on vessels in the Caribbean, saying they were targeting drug traffickers. However, Washington has not provided clear evidence about who was on the boats, and its actions have raised concerns across Latin America about possible violations of international law.

In recent weeks, the US has bombed at least four vessels in international waters, reportedly killing 21 people. According to the White House, these operations were part of efforts to disrupt narcotics trafficking routes in the Caribbean, but critics argue that the attacks lack transparency and accountability.

President Petro, responding to US Senator Adam Schiff’s post on social media, warned that “a new war scenario has opened up: the Caribbean.” He said initial information suggested that “the last boat bombed was Colombian with Colombian citizens inside.” He urged the victims’ families to come forward and claimed that the conflict was “not a war against smuggling, but a war for oil” targeting Latin American and Caribbean nations.

The White House quickly dismissed Petro’s claims, calling them “baseless and reprehensible.” In a statement, it said, “While the United States and Colombia may have policy differences, we remain committed to cooperation on regional security and stability.”

The US Congress recently debated President Donald Trump’s use of military force in the Caribbean. A measure that would have required Trump to seek congressional approval before continuing such strikes narrowly failed in the Senate, with a 48-51 vote.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the US administration has reclassified its operations in the region as part of a “non-international armed conflict,” a move that gives it broader wartime powers, including the ability to target groups it deems terrorist organizations. Trump has already labeled several drug cartels in Mexico, Ecuador, and Venezuela as terrorist groups, further expanding the scope of US military actions in the region.

The controversy highlights growing tensions between Washington and regional leaders, with many questioning whether the US strikes are justified under international law or if they mark the beginning of a dangerous new chapter in the Caribbean.