US-Colombia Tensions Rise After US Drug Strike Kills Colombian Fisherman

Tensions between the United States and Colombia have escalated following U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean targeting vessels alleged to be involved in drug trafficking. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, politically aligned with Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, condemned the strikes, asserting that at least one targeted boat was a malfunctioning fishing vessel and not connected to drug cartels, accusing the U.S. of violating Colombian sovereignty and committing murder. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintained that intelligence confirmed the vessels were linked to narcotics smuggling and affiliated with groups like the National Liberation Army (ELN), labeling those on board as "narco-terrorists." President Donald Trump accused Petro of encouraging drug production and announced a halt to U.S. financial aid to Colombia, further straining bilateral relations. Human rights experts have criticized the U.S. strikes as "extrajudicial executions," while Petro has called for international legal action and the involvement of the United Nations. The dispute highlights growing friction over U.S. anti-drug operations in the region and differing narratives on the legitimacy of the targets and the impact on Colombian sovereignty.