Colombian naval forces have intercepted more than seven tons of cocaine in two separate operations in the Caribbean, authorities announced this week, even as diplomatic tensions escalate between Bogotá and Washington over American military strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in regional waters.
The Colombian navy confiscated approximately 7.1 tons of cocaine valued at more than $340 million during operations conducted near the country’s northern coast. The first interdiction occurred 90 nautical miles from Barranquilla, while the second took place roughly 70 miles south in the Gulf of Morrosquillo. Eleven individuals were arrested in connection with the seizures, including eight Colombian nationals, two Venezuelans, and one Jamaican. All suspects were taken into custody without incident.
The successful operations stand in stark contrast to the mounting controversy surrounding American military tactics in the same region. Since September, United States forces have conducted at least 22 strikes against vessels in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean waters that the Trump administration identifies as drug-trafficking craft. These operations have resulted in at least 87 deaths, according to available reports.
The Pentagon announced another strike Thursday in the Pacific Ocean that killed four individuals. However, these military actions have drawn sharp criticism from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has repeatedly called for an end to what he characterizes as violations of international law. In previous statements, President Petro has asserted that innocent civilians have been killed in these strikes, a claim the White House categorically denies.
The most contentious incident occurred on September 2, when American forces struck a vessel in the Caribbean, killing 11 people. Recent revelations indicate that two missiles were fired at the boat. According to sources familiar with the operation, the second missile struck as survivors of the first attack attempted to climb back aboard the vessel. These survivors were allegedly attempting to salvage narcotics from the damaged craft.
The circumstances surrounding that second strike have prompted serious questions from members of Congress regarding whether such action constitutes a war crime under international law. The legal and ethical dimensions of targeting survivors of an initial attack have become a focal point of debate in Washington.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth now faces mounting scrutiny over these operations and the rules of engagement governing them. The family of one Colombian national killed in a U.S. strike has filed a formal complaint with a human rights organization, arguing that their relative’s death constitutes an extrajudicial killing.
President Trump has defended the strikes as necessary components of his administration’s comprehensive strategy against international drug trafficking organizations. The White House maintains that all operations have been conducted within the bounds of domestic and international law, and that those killed were engaged in criminal activity at the time of the strikes.
The diplomatic friction between Washington and Bogotá highlights the complex challenges inherent in combating transnational drug trafficking. While both nations share the stated goal of disrupting cocaine shipments destined for American markets, they differ fundamentally on the methods employed to achieve that objective.
The Colombian navy’s recent seizures demonstrate the effectiveness of traditional interdiction methods that result in arrests and criminal prosecutions. Whether such approaches can be scaled to match the scope of the problem remains an open question, as does the future of American military involvement in counter-narcotics operations throughout the region.
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