The White House on Thursday dismissed Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s allegation that the newest US strike within the Caribbean might have focused a Colombian vessel, saying the claim is “baseless and reprehensible.”
“The United States looks forward to President Petro publicly retracting his baseless and reprehensible statement so that we can return to a productive dialogue on building a strong, prosperous future for the people of United States and Colombia,” a White House official stated in an announcement to NCS.
“Despite policy differences with the current government, Colombia remains an essential strategic partner. We are committed to close cooperation on a range of shared priorities, including regional security and stability, and we remain engaged in efforts that improve the lives of Americans and Colombians alike,” the official added.
The South American chief made the assertion in a post on X on Wednesday.
“Indications show that the last boat bombed was Colombian with Colombian citizens inside it,” Petro wrote with out offering particulars or proof of his claim. “The aggression is against all of Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Responding to the White House Wednesday, Petro stated the US ought to present particulars concerning the individuals killed within the latest assault.
“The White House should give us information on the people who have died from US missiles, to know if my information is unfounded,” Petro stated on X.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated final week that the US struck what he described as a “narco-trafficking vessel” in worldwide waters simply off Venezuela’s coast, killing all 4 individuals on board.
It marked not less than the fourth recognized US army strike within the area because the starting of September, all of which have focused boats the administration claims are “affiliated” with drug cartels. The US stated not less than two of the vessels departed from Venezuela.
Petro in late September floated the thought that one other a type of strikes might have additionally killed Colombian residents.
Referring to a vessel that was struck on September 19, the Colombian president stated on the time: “If the boat was sunk in the Dominican Republic, then it is possible that they were Colombians. This means that officials from the US and the Dominican Republic would be guilty of the murder of Colombian citizens.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday stated the US is assured all of the individuals on board the 4 boats have been narco-traffickers.
“The Department of Defense doesn’t take this lightly. There are many boats running through that region, some of which you – we suspect may have drugs on them, and they don’t take shots at them because they need to know with 100% certainty,” he stated.
The strikes adopted the deployment of US warships to the Caribbean Sea on what Washington insists is a mission to fight drug trafficking, however Caracas believes is aimed toward regime change. The US has accused Venezuelan chief Nicolás Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking – an allegation he strenuously denies – and lately doubled the bounty for his arrest to $50 million.