Debate Sparks Over US Military Strikes on Alleged Drug Traffickers

Fri Oct 31 2025 23:35:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The UN condemns US military operations against alleged drug boats, citing violations of international law amid political tensions.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk has criticized recent US military strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific against vessels suspected of drug trafficking, claiming they violate international law and constitute extrajudicial killings. The US government defends its actions as necessary to combat drug trafficking, despite rising tensions with regional governments and concerns from US lawmakers across party lines.

The UN's human rights chief has condemned US military strikes on vessels allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean and Pacific, saying the lethal attacks violate international law and amount to 'extrajudicial killing.'

Volker Türk said on Friday that more than 60 people have reportedly been killed in US strikes since early September.

Calling the attacks 'unacceptable,' he urged Washington to halt them immediately and conduct prompt, independent, and transparent investigations.

The US has been defending its actions. President Donald Trump has stated that the strikes are necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the US and claims he has the legal authority to continue bombing boats in international waters.

Türk acknowledged the challenges of tackling drug trafficking, but stated that the circumstances for the deadly strikes 'find no justification in international law.'

He emphasized that addressing illicit drug trafficking is primarily a law-enforcement issue, governed by strict limits on lethal force as outlined in international human rights law.

According to international law, the intentional use of lethal force is permissible only as a last resort against individuals who pose an imminent threat to life. Given the limited information provided by the US, Türk argued that none of the individuals targeted appeared to pose such a threat.

He recommended that the US pursue law enforcement methods, including intercepting boats and detaining suspects, and if necessary, prosecuting them.

Most strikes have taken place off the coast of South America, with recent attacks in the Pacific claiming at least 18 lives. In response to these incidents, the US has deployed troops, aircraft, and naval vessels, including the USS Gerald R Ford.

This military strategy has faced backlash within the region, with several experts questioning its legality. US Congressional members from both parties have also expressed concerns about the president's authority to order such strikes.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly stated her government does not support these attacks and has insisted that all international treaties must be honored.

Furthermore, the US actions have exacerbated tensions with Colombia and Venezuela. The US government has imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, alleging negligence in combating drug trafficking, a claim Petro refuted by arguing he has been fighting it for decades.

Trump has also accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of orchestrating a drug-trafficking ring, which Maduro has denied. The Venezuelan attorney general declared that Trump seeks to overthrow the government and seize the country’s resources, while the US does not formally recognize Maduro's legitimate authority following widely criticized elections.