Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday ordered a halt to information sharing with U.S. security agencies following attacks by Washington on vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean.
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Petro described the attack, ordered by US President Donald Trump, as an “extrajudicial execution” and said it resulted in the sinking of 20 boats and the deaths of at least 76 people.
“Public security intelligence agencies at all levels have been directed to cease communications and other interactions with U.S. security agencies,” Petro announced on social media.
The left-wing leader has maintained tense relations with the United States since President Trump’s second term began in January. Amid heightened diplomacy, President Trump this year removed Colombia from his list of allies in the fight against drug trafficking and revoked the visas of Mr. Petro and several advisers.
The president added that the decision to halt intelligence sharing with the United States “will remain in effect as long as missile attacks on ships continue.”
Pressure on Venezuela is increasing due to US military incursions into international waters. Venezuela believes the attack near its coast is a pretext to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro, who lost re-election last year.
On Tuesday, CNN reported that the UK will not share intelligence information about suspected drug-trafficking vessels with the US to avoid becoming an accomplice in these bombings. Sources heard by the station say this is illegal. This revelation represents a rift between two important allies.
Fifty countries issued a joint statement on Sunday rejecting the “use of force” that violates international law, without directly mentioning the United States.
The document was signed during a summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU), hosted by Petro in the Caribbean city of Santa Marta.
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