Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday denounced the deployment of the U.S. military to the Caribbean following recent strikes against alleged drug smuggling vessels.

The Trump administration has justified the military action as a necessary escalation to prevent drugs from being trafficked into the U.S.

Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, Petro talked up his action in attempting to stop the "violent war on drugs" in his region.

"I changed the failed and violent war on drugs for an efficient anti-narcotrafficker policy," he said.

Referring to the U.S. military deployment in the Carribean, Petro said "still, they need violence to rule over Colombia and Latin America."

U.S. President Donald Trump had said on Friday that his country's military carried out its third fatal strike against an alleged drug smuggling vessel in recent weeks.

Human rights groups have raised concerns that the strikes flout international law.

Members of the U.S. delegation were seen leaving the U.N. General Assembly room during Petro's speech.