In brief
The United Nations' human rights chief, Volker Türk, has condemned the US military strikes against vessels presumed to be linked with drug trafficking, asserting that these actions violate international law and amount to extrajudicial killings. Since early September, over 60 fatalities have reportedly occurred due to these strikes. President Trump defends the operations as necessary to combat drug flow, while Türk insists that the justification for such lethal force is unfounded and emphasizes the need for law enforcement methods rather than military action.
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 said Washington must halt them immediately and conduct prompt, independent and transparent investigations. President Donald Trump has said the strikes are necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the US and he has the legal authority to continue bombing boats in international waters.Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has stated that strikes are being carried out on vessels operated by drug-trafficking groups designated as terrorist organizations by the US, asserting that 'the Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans'. Türk, however, while acknowledging the challenges of tackling drug trafficking, states that the circumstances for such deadly strikes 'find no justification in international law'. He emphasizes that intentional use of lethal force is condoned only as a last resort against individuals posing an imminent threat to life.Call for a change in tactics has been echoed, encouraging the US to intercept boats, detain suspects, and prosecute those involved instead of resorting to military strikes. Most strikes have occurred off the coast of South America, although recent attacks in the Pacific killed at least 18 people, raising regional tensions and drawing condemnation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly opposed these attacks and called for adherence to international treaties.Additionally, the US strikes have led to increased tensions with Colombia and Venezuela, where accusations and allegations of government complicity in drug trafficking abound. Trump's administration has imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro for failing to appropriately address drug trafficking, while Venezuelan officials counter that these claims are unfounded and politically motivated, further complicating an already tense regional relationship.
