Colombia suspends intel sharing with US over Caribbean airstrikes
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced the suspension of intelligence sharing with the US in response to its airstrikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean.
Petro made the announcement on X on Tuesday, responding to reports that the UK had taken a similar step. He said the suspension would remain in effect for as long as the US continues the attacks.
“The fight against drugs must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people,” Petro wrote.
The Pentagon claims the ongoing operations, ordered by President Donald Trump, target drug smuggling vessels allegedly operating out of Venezuela and Colombia. Petro has called the strikes illegal.
The US government has imposed sanctions on Petro, his family, and several cabinet members, accusing them of having ties to drug cartels – which the Colombian leader has denied, citing his administration’s efforts to dismantle trafficking networks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also condemned the US campaign this week, saying Washington should focus instead on Belgium, which was recently described by one of its own judges as an emerging “narco-state.”
Since early September, US forces have conducted airstrikes on 20 small vessels, resulting in at least 76 deaths, according to Pentagon figures. The Trump administration has provided no verifiable evidence linking the targets to drug cartels. Critics claim the operation could be a cover for regime change efforts in Venezuela.
