Trump Escalates Caribbean Strike Campaign as Diplomatic Ties With Colombia Fray

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the Friday operation, claiming the targeted boat belonged to the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), a group historically rooted in Colombia’s struggle against right-wing rule. Hegseth provided no evidence for the strike, which follows a pattern of at least seven similar US naval actions that have resulted in 29 reported deaths. Trump used his Truth Social platform to escalate the rhetoric further, calling Petro an enabler of drug production and warning that if Colombia does not halt the flow of narcotics, the US would intervene directly.

Petro countered the accusations by pointing to his administration’s success in curbing coca leaf growth, noting that half of the total crop area has been abandoned over the last three years. The Colombian leader accused the US of violating national sovereignty and committing murder, labeling the victims of recent strikes as fishermen. The diplomatic rift deepened as the Trump administration revoked Petro’s US visa, shortly after reports surfaced that Admiral Alvin Holsey, the US Southern Command chief overseeing the strikes, is stepping down amid internal friction over the military’s aggressive tactics. The situation reflects a broader shift in regional policy, signaled by Trump’s recent secret executive order authorizing the use of military force against cartels abroad.