Colombian President Claims US Attack Targeted Local Citizens

Mon Oct 20 2025 23:03:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A recent US military strike on a boat in the Caribbean has sparked a diplomatic clash, with Colombia's President Gustavo Petro asserting the vessel was carrying Colombian citizens. The US government refutes these claims as baseless amidst rising tensions.

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro has accused the United States of targeting a boat containing Colombians in a recent military strike, while the US denies these allegations and maintains that its operations are aimed at combating narco-trafficking. The claims follow a series of controversial strikes in the Caribbean that have killed 21 individuals, leading to calls for accountability and discussions about international law. Tensions escalate as both nations struggle to reconcile differing views on these military actions.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has stated that a boat bombed by the US was 'Colombian with Colombian citizens inside', a claim labeled as 'baseless' by the White House. Recent US strikes in the Caribbean have reportedly killed 21 people, with the US justifying its actions by claiming they target narco-traffickers. However, they have provided no evidence regarding the identities of the individuals aboard the bombed vessels, igniting widespread concern about potential breaches of international law.

The US Senate recently rejected a measure to bar military force against these vessels, heightening apprehensions regarding a new war scenario in the Caribbean. Petro underscored this sentiment, suggesting that the US's aggressive tactics extend beyond fighting smuggling; they represent a larger conflict over resources, especially oil.

Petro's comments come as he urges all Caribbean foreign ministers to convene for discussions about these strikes, amid criticisms that the US's actions resemble an unwarranted invasion. The US maintains a focus on targeting suspected drug traffickers while rejecting claims that the strikes jeopardize regional safety or involve civilian casualties.

The diplomatic rift is prominent, with Petro calling for the families of victims to speak out and the White House demanding a retraction of the Colombian president’s statements. As tensions escalate, the international community watches closely, questioning the legality and motivations behind such military interventions.