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Diplomatic tensions between Colombia and the United States have escalated sharply following a decision by Colombian President Gustavo Petro to suspend intelligence sharing with U.S. agencies. The move comes in direct response to a controversial U.S. military campaign involving lethal airstrikes against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. The breakdown in cooperation marks a significant fracture in the long-standing alliance between the two nations regarding counternarcotics operations.
President Petro announced the suspension of communications and agreements with U.S. security agencies, stating that the measure would remain in effect as long as the airstrikes continue. He emphasized that the fight against narcotics must be subordinated to human rights, reflecting growing outrage over what critics describe as extrajudicial killings. According to reports by newsweek.com, the strikes have resulted in at least 75 deaths since the operation intensified under the current U.S. administration, targeting boats in international waters.
The diplomatic freeze coincides with a significant legal challenge. The family of a Colombian man believed to have been killed in one of the strikes has filed a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). This petition, detailed by cnn.com, alleges that the U.S. actions violate international human rights standards. The family contends that their relative was a civilian, not a combatant, challenging the U.S. designation of the targets as "narcoterrorists." This filing represents the first known international legal action taken by victims' families against the U.S. regarding this specific maritime interdiction campaign.
The U.S. government has defended the operations, framing them as essential measures to protect American citizens from the influx of illicit drugs. The administration has reportedly classified the cartels as unlawful combatants, a designation they argue justifies the use of lethal force under the laws of armed conflict. However, this interpretation has drawn sharp criticism from international bodies and allied nations. As noted by defensenews.com, Colombia follows the United Kingdom in suspending intelligence sharing due to concerns over the legality of the strikes. The U.S. continues to ramp up its naval presence in the region, including the deployment of aircraft carriers, despite the growing diplomatic isolation on this issue.
