Colombian president says US strikes off coast are 'murder'

Colombia has condemned US airstrikes on vessels allegedly involved in drug-smuggling off the coast of South America, urging Washington to immediately halt further attacks in the Pacific and Caribbean.

- Harriet Barber

The plea came after the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, announced two new strikes on Wednesday, which were the first to hit the Pacific and left at least five people dead.

According to US figures, at least nine attacks have now been carried out since early September, killing 37 people. A broad range of experts have said the campaign is illegal. “Colombia calls on the US government to cease these attacks and urges it to respect the norms dictated by international law,” the foreign ministry said on Wednesday evening.

The president, Gustavo Petro, was more blunt, writing on social media: “It is murder. Whether in the Caribbean or Pacific, the US government strategy breaks the norms of international law.”