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Trump Launches Fierce Attack on Colombia’s Petro Following Fisherman Death in US Strike
Colombian authorities have asserted that a recently killed fisherman in a US military operation near Venezuelan waters was not involved in drug trafficking. This statement directly counters Washington’s claims that its intensified Caribbean operations are targeting narco-terrorists, jeopardizing relations with Colombia, a significant non-NATO ally.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who shares political alignments with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, has frequently clashed with President Trump. He is likely to vocally criticize US actions following these developments. Nonetheless, Washington has only provided limited evidence connecting the targeted vessels to drug networks. Uncertainties persist about the reliability of the intelligence that led to these military actions.
US Military Operations and Intelligence Disputes
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has maintained that the intelligence used to justify the strikes is definitive. He stated, “Our intelligence, without a doubt, confirmed that this vessel was trafficking narcotics; the people on board were narco-terrorists operating on a known narco-trafficking route,” following an operation on October 3.
On the following weekend, US Southern Command executed another strike, targeting a vessel allegedly linked to the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), which the US designates as a terrorist organization. Hegseth reported three fatalities from this strike, emphasizing the vessel’s known involvement in narcotics smuggling.
Petro Defends the Fisherman
However, Petro refuted the claim, asserting that the vessel belonged to a Colombian fisherman. He voiced concern for the victim, stating, “The fisherman’s boat from Santa Marta was not from the ELN; it belonged to a humble family, lovers of the sea, from which they drew their food.” His words poignantly addressed the specific loss experienced by the family of Alejandro Carranza, who he described as a humble individual.
Trump’s Outrage and US Response
In response, Trump unleashed a fierce critique of Petro, labeling him an
