WASHINGTON, USA: Tensions have intensified between the United States and Colombia after Washington confirmed a military strike on what it claimed was a “drug-running vessel” allegedly linked to Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN). The attack, carried out in international waters, killed three people and has sparked a storm of diplomatic outrage.
According to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, the vessel was “carrying substantial quantities of narcotics” and was operating along a known smuggling route when targeted on Friday. The Pentagon described the action as part of a broader maritime campaign to dismantle transnational drug networks across the Caribbean Sea.
However, Bogotá has strongly condemned the strike, calling it a “flagrant violation of national sovereignty.” The Colombian Foreign Ministry stated that the targeted vessel might have been civilian and not linked to any guerrilla or trafficking operations. President Gustavo Petro accused Washington of “reckless aggression” and vowed to raise the matter before international bodies.
The incident comes amid deteriorating relations between the two nations. Following the strike, former US President Donald Trump accused Petro of “protecting drug leaders” and announced an immediate suspension of US aid to Colombia. The move marks one of the sharpest diplomatic ruptures between the longtime anti-narcotics allies.
Analysts warn the strike could set a troubling precedent for future US operations. Critics argue that attacking vessels in international waters without transparent investigation or trial risks undermining international maritime law. Human-rights groups have also expressed alarm over the growing militarisation of America’s so-called “war on drugs.”
For Colombia, the fallout may be severe. The country, once a cornerstone of Washington’s regional counter-narcotics strategy, now faces the prospect of a frozen alliance and economic strain. Experts fear the escalation could derail joint anti-drug programmes and fuel instability in a region already battling cartel violence and political divides.
The US, meanwhile, shows no signs of backing down. Officials insist the strike was lawful and “necessary to prevent narcotics from reaching American shores.” But with both sides trading accusations, the diplomatic chill between Washington and Bogotá appears set to deepen.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.