BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered his nation’s safety forces Tuesday to cease sharing intelligence with america, till the Trump administration stops its strikes on suspected drug traffickers within the Caribbean, as relations deteriorate between the nations that have been as soon as shut companions within the combat in opposition to drug trafficking.
In a message on X, Petro wrote that Colombia’s navy should instantly finish “communications and other agreements with U.S. security agencies” till the U.S. ceases its assaults on speedboats suspected of carrying medication, that critics have likened to extrajudicial executions.
Petro wrote that “the fight against drugs must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people.” It wasn’t instantly clear what sort of info Colombia will cease sharing with america. The White Home had no speedy response to Petro’s newest statements.
Not less than 75 folks have been killed by the U.S. navy in strikes in worldwide waters since August, based on figures equipped by the Trump administration. The strikes started within the southern Caribbean, close to Venezuela’s shores, however have shifted lately to the japanese Pacific, the place the U.S. has focused boats off Mexico.
Petro has referred to as for U.S. President Donald Trump to be investigated for battle crimes over the strikes, which have affected residents of Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago.Petro has referred to as for U.S. President Donald Trump to be investigated for battle crimes over the strikes, which have affected residents of Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago.
The leftist chief has lengthy been a critic of U.S. drug coverage, and has accused the Trump administration of going after peasants rising coca, the bottom ingredient of cocaine, as a substitute of concentrating on main drug traffickers and cash launderers. On Sunday, Petro stated that met with the household of a Colombian fisherman who was allegedly killed in one of many strikes.
“He may have been carrying fish, or he may have been carrying cocaine, but he had not been sentenced to death” Petro stated throughout a summit between Latin American and European Union leaders hosted by Colombia on Sunday. “There was no need to murder him.”
The Trump administration has accused Petro of being comfortable on traffickers, and has criticized the Colombian president’s choice to spare Colombian insurgent leaders concerned within the drug commerce kind extradition to america.
The Trump administration has accused Petro of being comfortable on traffickers, and has criticized the Colombian president’s choice to spare Colombian insurgent leaders concerned within the drug commerce kind extradition to america.
In October, the administration positioned monetary sanctions on Petro and members of his household, over accusations of involvement within the world drug commerce.
Petro “has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in an announcement after the sanctions have been issued Oct 24. “President Trump is taking strong action to protect our nation and make clear that we will not tolerate the trafficking of drugs into our nation.”
The heightened tensions between america and Colombia are happening because the U.S. ramps up its naval presence within the southern Caribbean, with eight warships, a submarine, fighter jets and marines deployed to the area. An plane service, the usGerald Ford, can be anticipated to reach within the Caribbean this month.
Venezuela’s authorities has described the naval buildup as a menace to its sovereignty, with officers in that nation saying that the U.S. navy is making ready to launch strikes in opposition to the embattled authorities of Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuela’s authorities has described the naval buildup as a menace to its sovereignty, with officers in that nation saying that the U.S. navy is making ready to launch strikes in opposition to the embattled authorities of Nicolas Maduro.
The Trump administration has stated its deployment is geared toward curbing drug traffickers, although Trump has additionally hinted there may very well be strikes on track inside Venezuela, whose chief has been described by officers in Washington as the pinnacle of a drug cartel.
Venezuelan Protection Minister Vladimir Padrino López introduced Tuesday that navy personnel, members of a civilian militia, cops and ruling-party organizers can be mobilized for a coaching train to guard the nation’s airspace. He delivered his remarks, broadcast on state tv, standing by a surface-to-air missile system in a navy base within the capital, Caracas, however no coaching actions may very well be seen elsewhere within the metropolis.
