Colombia’s president accused U.S. officials of murder in a military campaign that has targeted alleged drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea, prompting President Donald Trump to announce he is withholding aid to the nation.
"US government officials have committed a murder and violated our sovereignty in territorial waters," Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote on social media.
The U.S. has launched military strikes on seven alleged drug trafficking vessels since September, killing at least 32. The latest strike was announced Oct. 19 by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said it destroyed a boat "transporting substantial amounts of narcotics" and killed all three people on board. Legal experts and lawmakers from both parties have questioned the legality of the strikes.
Petro said one of the strikes killed a fisherman who "had no ties to the drug trade."
"The Colombian boat was adrift and had its distress signal up due to an engine failure," Petro added in an Oct. 18 social media post. "We await explanations from the US government."