Columbia Accuses the US of "Extrajudicial Executions" at Sea; Trump Calls Colombian Officials "Drug Lords" and "Outlaws"

Colombian President Petro condemned the U.S. government for conducting airstrikes in the Caribbean and Pacific regions, calling them "extrajudicial executions." Petro's relationship with Trump has been tense. The conflict escalated recently as cocaine production in Colombia increased.

Washington claims it has launched nine attacks since early September, resulting in 37 deaths, and says this is part of a drug trafficking crackdown.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced two attacks in the Pacific. According to military sources, at least one of these attacks occurred near Colombian waters.

AFP said that the White House and the Pentagon have provided almost no evidence to support their claim that the targeted individuals were involved in drug trafficking.

Colombian left-wing President Petro stated during a press conference in Bogotá: "We believe such actions violate international law, and the United States [...] is carrying out extrajudicial executions." He called for the prosecution of people suspected of transporting drugs, rather than killing them.

Former guerrilla fighter Petro emphasized: "This excessive use of force violates international humanitarian law."

He reiterated on Thursday: "The Caribbean Sea is being traversed by warships, naval aircraft, and missiles [...] a fisherman from Santa Marta (in the north) was even killed on his own boat."

"Drug Lords" and "Outlaws"

Recently, the intense exchange of words between Donald Trump and Gustavo Petro has continued to escalate.

U.S. President Donald Trump called his Colombian counterpart "a drug lord" and "an outlaw." This leftist politician responded by saying he would file a defamation lawsuit against Trump with U.S. authorities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Colombian leader "crazy."

President Trump warned Gustavo Petro: "Be careful, or we will take very harsh measures against him and his country."

"Defamation" and "Insult"

Gustavo Petro strongly condemned on international media on Thursday: "Mr. Trump defamed me and insulted Colombia."

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt responded at a press conference: "I think this unstable leader from Colombia is not taking any steps to ease the situation right now."

This year, the U.S. removed Colombia from the list of allies in the war on drugs and revoked the visas of Gustavo Petro and several Colombian officials.

The U.S. also announced the termination of financial aid to Colombia and will impose punitive tariffs on the country to retaliate against the increase in cocaine production in Colombia.

AFP reported that Colombia is the world's largest producer of cocaine, but for decades it has worked with Washington to try to reduce cocaine production controlled by various paramilitary groups, drug cartels, and guerrillas.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846922889884736/

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