U.S. Military Targets Colombian Drug Vessel Linked to ELN

On Sunday, Army Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the U.S. military conducted what he described as a “lethal kinetic attack” on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean, which is reportedly tied to the Colombian Marxist terrorist group Colombian National Liberation Army (ELN).

The ELN stands as one of the most influential Marxist terrorist organizations in Colombia, alongside the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Both groups engage in various activities like territorial control, targeting conservative politicians, and collaborating with other international terrorist networks, especially through cocaine trafficking. At one point, FARC was considered the wealthiest terrorist group globally, surpassing the revenues of al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and Boko Haram combined. However, after signing a peace agreement with the Colombian government in 2016, the group saw a resurgence during a significant cocaine boom in the country.

Under the current administration of President Gustavo Petro—who was part of the Marxist M19 guerrilla group in his youth—cocaine production in Colombia has escalated to unprecedented heights, surpassing levels from 2016, as noted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Petro has been critical of U.S. strategies aimed at controlling the narco-terrorism issues originating from Colombia.

The military operation described by Hegseth took place on Friday and is among several efforts by the U.S. military to tackle the deadly impacts of narco-terrorism in the region. Former President Donald Trump allowed the U.S. Southern Command to target drug traffickers at sea, asserting that reducing illegal drug supplies helps protect Americans while also cutting off resources to groups like the ELN and the Venezuelan regime.

Hegseth stated that the operation was directed at a vessel “known by our intelligence services to be involved in illegal drug smuggling,” found along a well-known trafficking route and believed to be carrying a substantial amount of narcotics. U.S. forces attacked the ship, resulting in the deaths of three individuals identified by Hegseth as terrorists.

Hegseth characterized these cartels as the “al-Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere,” asserting that they use violence to threaten national security. He emphasized that the U.S. military would treat these organizations as terrorists, vowing to pursue them relentlessly.

Counterterrorism measures in Colombia, once inspired by approaches from the Middle East, were first implemented extensively under President Álvaro Uribe Vélez, who remains a prominent political figure. He encouraged the U.S. to adopt traditional counterterrorism tactics rather than rely solely on regular policing, which significantly undermined the influence of FARC and ELN. However, after the 2016 peace accord, the ELN managed to regain some strength.

President Petro quickly expressed his disapproval of Hegseth’s announcement, arguing that the targeted vessel was simply a fishing boat owned by a “poor family who loved the sea.” He questioned what response could be given to that family, after the loss of their fisherman.

This dispute highlights the tension in U.S.-Colombian relations, particularly under Petro’s leadership, which has seen a marked decline from the cooperative relationship that flourished under Uribe. Following issues related to anti-drug operations, President Trump announced plans to withdraw financial aid to Colombia due to Petro’s actions, including his alleged drug addiction and his request to disregard U.S. military directives.

Trump described Petro as “an illegal drug leader,” further asserting that if Petro does not take action against narco-terrorists, the U.S. would intervene directly. In response, Petro criticized Trump as “rude and ignorant,” asserting his difference in dealings, calling himself a socialist.

On Monday, Petro acknowledged that the existing free trade agreement with the U.S. was “effectively” suspended as a result of these strained relations, coinciding with Trump’s pursuit of renegotiating terms with other nations.