White House rejects Colombia claim on U.S. boat strike
Colombian President Gustavo Petro alleged the Oct. 3 U.S. strike on a suspected drug boat off Venezuela killed Colombian citizens; the White House told CBS News the claim is 'baseless and reprehensible' and urged a public retraction. The administration, which has conducted at least four such strikes since last month, framed cartel targets as 'unlawful combatants' in a notice to Congress, while a Senate resolution to block further strikes failed 48–51 amid legal and diplomatic scrutiny.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Petro alleged the 'last bombed boat' was Colombian with Colombian citizens aboard; he provided no sourcing.
- White House official to CBS: claim is 'baseless and reprehensible' and should be retracted; Colombia remains an important partner.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Oct. 3 strike killed four 'narco‑terrorists' off Venezuela; at least four boats have been hit since last month.
- Administration notice to Congress described boat passengers as 'unlawful combatants' and asserted a 'non‑international armed conflict' with cartels.
- Senate Democrats forced a vote to block further strikes; the measure failed 48–51.
đź“Š Analysis & Commentary (1)
"The WSJ commentary critiques recent U.S. maritime strikes and Caribbean military deployments—reported in the White House rebuttal to Colombia’s claims about a boat strike—as signaling a possible escalatory campaign aimed at Venezuela that risks dangerous regional escalation and blowback."