Overview
- President Donald Trump labeled Gustavo Petro an “illegal drug leader” and said U.S. payments and subsidies to Colombia would stop, without specifying which funds he intends to cut.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a Friday strike on a boat he said was linked to Colombia’s ELN, reporting three dead and describing the location as international waters.
- Bogotá rejected Trump’s accusations as a threat to sovereignty, recalled its ambassador for consultations, and officials warned the remarks sounded like a threat of invasion or military action.
- Two survivors from a separate ‘narco-submarine’ strike were repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador; Colombian officials identified one survivor as Jeison Obando Pérez and said he remains under medical care before prosecution.
- News outlets count roughly six to seven U.S. strikes since early September with up to 32 fatalities reported, while legal experts and regional leaders question the evidentiary basis and legality of lethal attacks at sea.