Colombia's Petro Demands Trump Face Justice for Venezuelan Border Strikes

Colombia's Petro Urges Criminal Trial Against Trump for Venezuelan Strikes At the 80th United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for a criminal trial against former US President Donald Trump over the US strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats off the Caribbean coast of Venezuela. The move is seen as a bold challenge to Washington's actions in the region. Petro stated that "unarmed poor young people died" in the strikes, which he described as extrajudicial executions. He emphasized that these killings were unlawful and demanded accountability from Trump. "We cannot accept that our youth are killed without any consequences," Petro said during his address to the UN assembly. The US strikes, carried out under Trump's administration, targeted at least three boats in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the deaths of over a dozen people. The operation was part of a US anti-drug effort aimed at disrupting alleged drug trafficking networks linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government. However, Petro and other critics argue that the strikes were unjustified and violated international law. "These attacks are not only a gross violation of human rights but also undermine the sovereignty of Venezuela," said Maria Luiza Viçoso, a UN expert on extrajudicial killings. The controversy surrounding the US strikes has sparked debate among world leaders and experts. While some have defended the operation as necessary to combat drug trafficking, others have condemned it as an overreach of executive power. In response to Petro's call for a criminal trial, Trump's spokesperson released a statement saying that "the former President acted within his authority" in ordering the strikes. However, this assertion has been disputed by many experts and human rights organizations. The incident highlights the complexities of international relations and the challenges of balancing national security interests with human rights concerns. As the world grapples with these issues, Petro's demand for accountability serves as a reminder that even powerful leaders must be held to account for their actions. The UN General Assembly will continue to discuss the matter in the coming days, with many expecting further developments and reactions from world leaders. *Reporting by Theguardian.*