UNGA spotlights drug enforcement after U.S. strikes
At the U.N. General Assembly week (Sept. 25, 2025), drug enforcement unexpectedly became a prominent theme after President Donald Trump used his speech to boast of lethal maritime strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats and of designating Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The remarks drew a sharp public rebuke from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who accused the U.S. of harming civilians and said Trump should face criminal charges; U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime data showing 316 million drug users in 2023 were cited as context for the heightened focus.
International
National Security
📰 Sources (1)
Drug enforcement is rarely a focus of the U.N. General Assembly. This year is different
New information:
- President Donald Trump publicly defended recent U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats and the designation of some cartels as foreign terrorist organizations during his U.N. General Assembly remarks.
- Colombian President Gustavo Petro responded hours later at the U.N., accusing the U.S. of enabling attacks on unarmed people and calling for criminal accountability.
- U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime figures cited: roughly 316 million people worldwide used drugs in 2023, underscoring the scale of the problem discussed at UNGA.