Colombia Condemns US Airstrikes After Deadly Attacks

Colombia has condemned a series of US airstrikes on vessels allegedly involved in drug smuggling in the Caribbean and Pacific, urging Washington to halt further attacks after two new strikes announced by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth killed five people. According to US figures the strikes — at least nine since early September — have killed 37 people, prompting Colombia's foreign ministry to protest and President Gustavo Petro to call the campaign "murder" and demand respect for international law. Washington says the operation targets cartels operating out of Venezuela and has backed it with a major regional military buildup, but analysts have questioned the campaign’s legality and warned it is spreading across the region. The strikes have shattered traditionally close US–Colombia ties: President Trump has traded insults with Petro, Washington has decertified Colombia as an ally in the drug war and cut military aid, and Bogotá has halted US arms purchases. Colombia has called for renewed diplomatic dialogue to continue joint anti‑drug efforts even as tensions escalate and uncertainty grows over further US actions.