BOGOTA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Thursday demanded that the United States disclose the identities of those killed in recent U.S. missile strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea.

"The White House official is obligated to reveal the names and origins of the people killed in the Caribbean with missiles," Petro wrote on social media.

His statement came after the White House dismissed his allegation that the latest U.S. strike in the Caribbean may have hit a Colombian vessel, calling the claim "baseless and reprehensible."

While acknowledging that Colombian traffickers operate in the Caribbean, Petro urged Qatar to mediate between Colombia, the United States and armed groups such as the Gulf Clan and the "Conquistadores de la Sierra," which he said control nearly all cocaine exports from Colombia.

He also called on Washington to end its practice of bombing boats in the region as part of its anti-drug campaign.

On Wednesday, Petro backed an initiative put forward by U.S. Senator Adam Schiff calling for a congressional vote to end Washington's military strikes in the Caribbean, believing they pose a risk of war.

According to Schiff, the U.S. Congress has not authorized the repeated attacks in the Caribbean, which the administration of President Donald Trump claims aim to combat drug trafficking.

Since September, the United States has carried out four missile strikes against vessels in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 suspected "narco-terrorists," according to U.S. government reports. ■