Colombian President Gustavo Petro has said that a boat recently bombed by the US was 'Colombian with Colombian citizens inside', an allegation the White House called 'baseless'. The US has struck at least four vessels in the Caribbean in recent weeks, killing 21 people. The US government has said the strikes in international waters were targeting 'narco-traffickers'. But it has not provided evidence or details about who or what is aboard, and the strikes have attracted condemnation in countries in the region amid concerns they breach international law.

The US Senate rejected a measure on Wednesday that would have barred President Donald Trump from using military force against the boats. Petro replied to a post on X by US Senator Adam Schiff, stating he would block strikes against vessels in the Caribbean. He emphasized that a 'new war scenario has opened up: the Caribbean', urging the world to reconsider their approach towards smuggling, oil, and military aggression.

The White House has responded, expressing hope that President Petro will retract his statement. Meanwhile, discussions among Caribbean foreign ministers are being called for by Petro to address these escalating strikes. This situation raises questions about international military actions and the implications for regional security and sovereignty.