The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has criticized recent U.S. military strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, asserting that these actions violate international law and amount to “extrajudicial killing.” Türk’s remarks came after reports indicated that over 60 individuals may have been killed in these strikes since early September.
Türk urged the U.S. to cease the strikes immediately and to conduct independent investigations into the incidents. U.S. President Donald Trump has defended the military operations, stating they are essential for combating drug trafficking into the U.S. and asserting legal authority to target boats in international waters.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth characterized the strikes as targeting vessels managed by drug-trafficking groups labeled as terrorist organizations. He stated that “the Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists.” However, Türk emphasized that, despite the challenges posed by drug trafficking, the justifications for such lethal interventions do not align with international law. According to him, international standards permit the use of lethal force only as a last resort against threats to life, which he claims were not present based on the limited information provided by U.S. authorities.
Most of the military actions have been concentrated near South America, particularly in the Caribbean, with recent operations in the Pacific reportedly resulting in at least 18 fatalities. The U.S. has deployed military assets including troops and a naval presence in the region.
These military actions have sparked criticism from various countries, including Mexico, which has called for adherence to international treaties. Concerns have also been raised within the U.S. Congress regarding the legality of such operations and the authority of the president to order them. Furthermore, the actions have strained relationships between the U.S. and Latin American nations, notably Colombia and Venezuela, amid ongoing tensions over drug trafficking policy and accusations against their leaders.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2nx95pgz7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss