Colombian President Gustavo Petro has labeled the military operation ordered by Donald Trump in the Caribbean as "murder." The action targeted a vessel from Venezuela, which the U.S. claimed was carrying drugs and operated by the criminal group Tren de Aragua. Petro voiced his criticism on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "If this is true, it is murder anywhere in the world. We have spent decades capturing civilians who transport drugs without killing them. Those transporting drugs are not the big drug lords, but the very poor young people from the Caribbean and the Pacific."
U.S. Military Action in the Caribbean
On Tuesday, Trump announced on his platform, Truth Social, that a drug-laden ship from Venezuela was sunk by Southern Command forces, resulting in 11 deaths. He described the operation as a "surgical" strike against narcoterrorists linked to the Nicolás Maduro regime. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the official narrative, framing it as an action against a "narco-terrorist" organization identified by Washington. Cuban-American congress members Carlos Giménez, María Elvira Salazar, and Mario Díaz-Balart endorsed the operation, aligning it with the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy.
Controversy and Regional Reactions
In contrast, Caracas's response was sharply critical. Minister of Communication Freddy Ñáñez accused Washington of fabricating evidence, claiming that the video Trump released was artificially generated to justify a "covert aggression."
Amidst the escalating accusations between Washington and Caracas, Petro's comments marked the first response from a regional head of state. His remarks challenged the legitimacy of the operation, suggesting the deceased were not "narcoterrorists," but impoverished youths exploited as labor in drug networks.
Petro's Critique of U.S. Drug Policy
Petro's stance is consistent with his long-held criticism of U.S.-led drug war models. He advocates for a strategy focused on public health, alternative development, and financial pursuit of major cartels. "Those who transport drugs are not the big drug lords," he emphasized, contrasting Colombia's approach of capture and prosecution with the lethal U.S. action in international waters.
Legal and International Standards in Question
The situation raises uncomfortable questions about the legality of the U.S. operation. While Trump framed the attack as part of the anti-terrorism effort—having labeled Tren de Aragua and the Cártel de los Soles as foreign terrorist organizations—this was effectively a lethal military action against drug traffickers in international waters.
According to international standards, anti-drug efforts typically fall under police and judicial operations, not military. Conventions like the 1988 Vienna Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs establish judicial cooperation, extradition, and confiscation mechanisms but do not authorize lethal force against civilian vessels.
The Risk of Setting a Dangerous Precedent
For security experts, Trump's military directive poses a moral and strategic dilemma. Conducting the drug war through high-seas bombings blurs the line between criminal justice and military action. If drug trafficking is equated to terrorism warranting military intervention, it risks escalating violence in the region.
Petro's comments reflect this concern: those killed in such operations are often not cartel leaders but impoverished youth serving as crew members. The incident not only heightens tensions between Washington and Caracas but also sparks a regional debate on the boundaries of the "war on drugs" and the danger of turning anti-drug efforts into a battlefield with unpredictable human costs.
Implications of U.S. Military Actions in the Caribbean
What was the outcome of the U.S. military operation in the Caribbean?
The operation resulted in the sinking of a Venezuelan vessel and 11 fatalities, according to U.S. reports.
How did Venezuelan officials respond to the U.S. operation?
Venezuelan officials accused the U.S. of manipulating evidence and claimed the video of the incident was created using artificial intelligence to justify the attack.
What is Gustavo Petro's stance on the U.S. drug war strategy?
Gustavo Petro criticizes the U.S. strategy, advocating instead for public health-focused initiatives, alternative development, and targeting financial operations of major cartels.