Hegseth Says Colombia Will Conduct Joint Military Operations with U.S., Urges Partners to Reject ICC

Colombia has authorized joint military operations with the United States against armed Colombian groups, following the inauguration of far-right President Abelardo de la Espriella. On Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed Colombia to the U.S. counternarcotics coalition known as the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, or A3C. Hegseth warned that the International Criminal Court could investigate U.S. attacks on alleged drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean — which human rights groups have condemned as extrajudicial killings and murder — and called on partners to reject the ICC. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: “That’s why I strongly encourage every A3C member to leave the ICC and reject their attempts to rob your governments and your courts of your sovereignty. I know as a soldier I swore an oath to the Constitution, not some fake and illegitimate international court.” www.democracynow.org