Colombia’s President Condemns U.S. Strike on Drug Vessels

Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized a recent U.S. precision strike against vessels transporting drugs in international waters, labeling it “murder.” He expressed his thoughts on social media, stating, “If this is true, it’s murder anywhere in the world.” Petro emphasized that individuals caught transporting drugs are often impoverished youths from the Caribbean and Pacific, not significant drug trafficking figures.

This week, the U.S. targeted drug-carrying vessels, resulting in the deaths of 11 members associated with a drug organization as part of its efforts to combat drug cartels in the Caribbean.

Former President Donald Trump described the strike as taking place during an illegal drug transportation operation in international waters, emphasizing that the 11 individuals killed were “terrorists.” He warned potential traffickers to be cautious moving forward.

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, has dismissed the footage of the strike shared by U.S. officials as “fake.” Communications Minister Inanez accused the U.S. of using artificial intelligence to manipulate the video evidence, suggesting it was part of a broader misinformation campaign.

Cabello, Venezuela’s Home Minister, reiterated claims that the strike’s video is not authentic, labeling it an attack from the U.S. against Venezuela. He argued that if the video were genuine, it would imply that the U.S. admitted to taking lives without verifying the identities of the individuals involved.

Cabello contended that major drug traffickers do not carry drugs themselves, and criticized the U.S. for neglecting its own drug issues while focusing on Venezuelan operations. He demanded Congress investigate these anti-drug operations, criticizing them as inauthentic and politically motivated.

Reports suggest that the vessel targeted in the strike departed from San Juan de Unare in Venezuela, destined for Trinidad and Tobago. Sources indicate that eight of the deceased were local residents. The area has been identified by U.S. authorities as a hotbed for drug trafficking.

Local media reported disturbances in San Juan, as many in the community knew the individuals who died. There were claims that other drug-laden vessels had made the same journey without being intercepted by U.S. forces.

On Thursday, family and friends of those who perished expressed their grief on social media, rejecting allegations that the U.S. footage of the operation was fabricated using AI.

The U.S. has accused Maduro and other Venezuelan officials of involvement in international cocaine trafficking. Back in August, the U.S. government raised the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest significantly.

President Petro, known for his controversial views on cocaine legalization, had previously remarked that the drug itself is “not worse than whiskey,” suggesting it could be legally marketed like wine. He’s faced scrutiny over past allegations regarding drug addiction issues, prompting calls for legislative investigations.