U.S. Military Strikes Colombian ELN Drug Vessel Killing Three

The U.S. military, under President Trump's direction, conducted a lethal strike on October 17 targeting a vessel linked to Colombia's Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Colombia. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed the attack resulted in the deaths of all three individuals aboard, described as narco-terrorists, and released unclassified footage of the strike. The boat was reportedly on a known drug trafficking route carrying significant narcotics, with the strike occurring in international waters and no U.S. casualties. Hegseth compared the ELN and associated drug cartels to Al Qaeda, emphasizing that they are treated as terrorists who threaten U.S. national security. Colombian President Gustavo Petro disputed the affiliation of the vessel with the ELN, calling it a fishing boat owned by a humble family and criticized the U.S. actions. President Trump has also accused Petro of encouraging drug production and announced cutting off subsidies to Colombia amid escalating tensions.