Colombian President Accuses U.S. of 'Murder' After Boat Strike

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the United States of committing "murder" following a U.S. military strike on a boat in Colombian territorial waters in September. Petro stated that the vessel was adrift with its distress signal activated due to an engine failure when it was struck. He emphasized that the boat's occupant, fisherman Alejandro Carranza, had no ties to the drug trade and was engaged in his daily fishing activities. Petro called for explanations from the U.S. government regarding the incident.

In response, U.S. President Donald Trump defended the strike, asserting that the targeted vessel was a "drug-carrying submarine" loaded with fentanyl and other illegal narcotics. Trump announced that two individuals were killed in the operation, and two survivors would be returned to their countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution. He highlighted that the submarine was built specifically for transporting massive amounts of drugs and posed a significant threat.

This incident is part of a series of U.S. military operations in the Caribbean Sea aimed at curbing drug trafficking. At least six vessels have been targeted in recent weeks, resulting in multiple fatalities. The U.S. administration maintains that these actions are necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the United States, though specific evidence regarding the identities of the vessels and those on board has not been publicly disclosed.

The strikes have drawn international criticism. UN-appointed human rights experts have described the U.S. actions as "extrajudicial executions." Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused the U.S. of attempting to make Venezuela "an American colony" and has condemned the military operations in the region.

Narco-submarines have become a common method for transporting drugs, as they can operate largely undetected and are often scuttled after delivery. These vessels are typically homemade, constructed using materials like fiberglass and plywood, and have been intercepted by the U.S. and other coastal nations in the past.