Colombian President Gustavo Petro has criticized U.S. strikes on alleged cartel vessels in the Caribbean Sea, arguing that such actions do not curb drug trafficking. In an interview with NBC News, Petro said President Donald Trump’s approach is unhelpful, suggesting it relies more on intimidation than on addressing the root causes of the drug trade.
The U.S. Pentagon recently announced a new operation, dubbed Operation Southern Spear, aimed at combating “narcoterrorists” in the region. The initiative follows a series of U.S. strikes that have hit at least 20 boats since September, killing 80 people. Petro questioned the effectiveness of these attacks, noting that they often target “poor boatmen” hired by cartels rather than the traffickers themselves, and he warned that some victims may have been ordinary fishermen with no ties to organized crime.
Petro’s comments come amid strained relations between Colombia and the United States. Last month, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Petro, with President Trump labeling him “a drug leader.” In response, Colombia restricted intelligence sharing with the U.S., though it later clarified that cooperation with U.S. federal agencies—including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI—will continue.
The situation is further complicated by the involvement of other regional actors, notably Venezuela. The United States has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of aiding cartels in smuggling drugs into the U.S., and President Trump has been briefed on potential target options in Venezuela as part of Operation Southern Spear.
The conflict underscores the challenges of addressing drug trafficking in the region. While the U.S. has launched military operations to disrupt cartel activities, critics argue that such approaches may not be effective in the long term. The issue is likely to remain a point of contention between the United States and its regional partners, with significant implications for international relations and security cooperation.
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