Bogotá, Colombia – The Colombian government announced the
immediate suspension of all intelligence cooperation with the United States in
response to recent attacks by U.S. forces against vessels in the Caribbean Sea.
According to President Gustavo Petro, these actions endanger civilian lives and
violate regional sovereignty.
In a message posted on his official Twitter account, Petro
explained that his decision aims to defend “the human rights of the peoples of
the Caribbean” and questioned the use of lethal force in anti-narcotics
operations lacking coordination and transparency.
“You cannot speak of a just fight against drugs when you
fire on vessels without due process or respect for human life,” the Colombian
president stated.
The Colombian government's decision marks a break in one of
the region's most important strategic alliances, as cooperation between Bogotá
and Washington has been a cornerstone of counternarcotics intelligence
operations for more than three decades.
The measure temporarily halts information sharing, technical
assistance, and joint operations until, according to the Colombian government,
it is guaranteed that U.S. actions in the Caribbean respect the principles of
international law.
Diplomatic sources confirmed that the suspension includes
collaboration between the National Intelligence Directorate (DNI) and the DEA,
as well as coordinated exercises between the naval forces of both countries.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department expressed regret over
the decision, although it reiterated that "actions in the Caribbean are
part of a legitimate effort to curb drug trafficking and protect international
security."