Colombia’s President urges probe of Trump over deadly Caribbean strikes

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has demanded a criminal investigation into US President Donald Trump and other officials for their role in recent deadly strikes on boats in the Caribbean.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Petro condemned three US military attacks earlier this month, which Washington claimed targeted drug-smuggling vessels from Venezuela. At least 17 people were killed across the incidents.

Petro rejected the US explanation, saying those killed were not gang members or traffickers but poor young Latin Americans with limited options. He accused Trump of “criminalizing poverty and migration” and called the strikes unjustified.

The first attack, on September 2, killed 11 people, while two more strikes on September 16 and September 19 left six others dead. The Trump administration defended the actions as part of efforts to stop drug trafficking but has not fully explained how it determined the boats’ cargo and passengers.

Petro’s remarks came as Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced new decrees to defend his country’s sovereignty amid what he called US aggression. Maduro accused Washington of using drug accusations as a pretext for military pressure.

Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president, restored ties with Venezuela in 2022 and has pushed for stronger regional unity. His call for accountability signals rising Latin American opposition to US military actions in the Caribbean.