London, Bogota – Britain and Colombia have announced they are suspending intelligence sharing with the United States regarding suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific. This unprecedented move is creating tension within traditional anti-drug alliances.
Sources familiar with the matter told CNN and The Guardian that the British government has not shared any information with Washington for about a month. This is due to concerns that information provided by London could be used in deadly US strikes on these ships. Those strikes have killed at least 76 people since last September.
London is concerned about US strikes.
Britain has long supported US efforts to track suspected vessels in the Caribbean. This support has enabled the US Coast Guard to seize large quantities of drugs. However, London has expressed concern that this information is being used to identify targets for airstrikes. London considers these strikes to be illegal under international law.
Colombia takes a similar step
The British decision coincided with Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s announcement on the “X” platform that he was suspending intelligence sharing with Washington. He emphasized that the fight against drugs must protect the rights of the region’s people and called for a reassessment of the historical cooperation on this issue.
International criticism and US escalation
The US airstrikes drew widespread criticism. The United Nations called on Washington to exercise restraint. France condemned the operations as a violation of international law. In response, the United States increased its military presence. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrived in the waters off Latin America, ostensibly to support the implementation of orders to combat transnational criminal organizations.
The Venezuelan government, led by Nicolás Maduro, considered the US measures an “imperialist” threat. It accused Washington of using the fight against drugs as a pretext for regime change and seizing control of the country’s oil reserves.
