Xinhua Agency, Beijing, October 25. The U.S. Treasury Department issued a statement on the 24th, announcing sanctions against Colombia President Petro and others. Petro responded on the same day, condemning the US actions and saying that he would never give in. The U.S. Department of Defense said on the 24th that the U.S. military sank another "drug trafficking ship" in international waters in the Caribbean Sea overnight and announced that it was deploying aircraft carrier strike groups to waters around Latin America. Venezuelan President Maduro accused the United States of inciting war on the same day.

Petro: Never give in

The U.S. Treasury Department issued a statement on the 24th saying that the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control has imposed sanctions on Petro, his wife, eldest son, and Colombian Interior Minister Armando Benedetti in accordance with anti-drug laws, and will freeze their presence in the United States. Property and related financial services.

On August 7, 2022, in Colombia's capital Bogotá, Petro took the oath of office as President of Colombia.

In his statement, U.S. Treasury Secretary Bacante accused Petro of "allowing drug cartels to flourish," causing Colombia's cocaine production to increase and flood into the United States.

Petro then posted on social media, condemning the actions of the US as a "complete paradox". "For decades, (Colombia) has been effectively combating drug trafficking and trying its best to help American society reduce cocaine consumption, but I was sanctioned by the US government." He said that he had hired an American lawyer to defend him, "never taking a step back, let alone kneeling down".

Colombia has been a traditional ally of the United States in Latin America, but relations between the two countries have recently tightened. The United States has recently attacked several ships in the Caribbean, including Colombian ships, in order to "fight drug trafficking."In addition to announcing a suspension of aid, US President Trump has also threatened tariffs on Costa Rica.

Maduro: U.S. Incites War

U.S. Defense Department spokesman Sean Panel announced on Thursday that the U.S. military is deploying the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the U.S. Southern Command responsibility zone, that is, the waters surrounding Latin America.

Parnell issued a statement on social media saying that in accordance with President Trump's instructions to "disrupt transnational criminal organizations and combat drug terrorism to defend the homeland," Defense Secretary Hagerseth ordered the USS Ford aircraft carrier strike group and its carrier-based aircraft wing to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

The statement said that this deployment will enhance U.S. discovery, surveillance and strike capabilities, and ensure the security and prosperity of the United States homeland and security in the Western Hemisphere.

The headquarters of the U.S. Southern Command is located in Florida, and its responsibilities include the land area of Latin America south of Mexico, the waters near Central and South America and the Caribbean Sea.

According to US media analysis, this shows that the Trump administration plans to expand its military action against drug trafficking cartels from cracking down on small suspected drug trafficking ships in international waters to ground targets in Latin America.

On September 23, in the capital of Venezuela, Caracas, civilians and military personnel participating in the parade shouted slogans. On the same day, the people of Caracas held a massive parade calling for the defense of Venezuela's sovereignty and peace, against the U.S. military threat in the Caribbean.

Maduro condemned the Trump administration's move on the 24th as inciting a "new and eternal war".

Earlier in the day, U.S. Secretary of Defense ("Secretary of War") Hegseth said that the U.S. military sank another "drug trafficking ship" in the international waters of the Caribbean Sea at night, killing six people on board.

This is the tenth U.S. military strike on suspected drug trafficking vessels, with 10 attacks since September that killed at least 43 people.

Hegseth said on social media that the sunk ship belonged to the Venezuelan Aragua Train drug trafficking group, which the U.S. government has identified as a terrorist organization, and was carrying drugs.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration submitted a memorandum to Congress stating that the United States and the drug trafficking group identified by the United States as a terrorist organization ¡°are in a non-international armed conflict.¡±