GENEVA — The United Nations’ human rights chief has strongly criticized U.S. military strikes targeting vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean that are suspected of carrying illegal drugs from South America, calling the actions “unacceptable” and urging an immediate halt. This condemnation, expressed by U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, marks a significant statement from a U.N. organization regarding U.S. military operations in the region.
Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for Türk, conveyed his concerns during a routine U.N. briefing, highlighting the alarming human toll of these strikes, which have reportedly resulted in over 60 fatalities since early September. Türk emphasized the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the military operations, insisting that the U.S. should take all necessary measures to prevent extrajudicial killings of individuals aboard these vessels.
U.S. President Donald Trump has defended the strikes, framing them as a critical strategy to mitigate the drug influx into the United States. However, the approach has sparked controversy and division among nations in the region.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the latest attack on Wednesday, noting that it targeted a boat involved in drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of all four individuals onboard. This military action is the 14th strike conducted since the campaign’s inception in September. The rising death toll prompts serious concern regarding the implications of such operations and their alignment with international law.
Shamdasani clarified that while the U.S. characterizes these actions as part of an anti-drug and counter-terrorism initiative, the global consensus among nations is that responses to drug trafficking should primarily be a law enforcement issue. It is important to adhere to strict standards regarding the use of lethal force, which should only be deployed as a last resort against imminent threats to life, to avoid violations of the right to life and prevent what would be classified as extrajudicial killings.
These operations are characterized as taking place “outside the context” of active conflict, raising significant legal and ethical questions about the use of military force in these circumstances. The ongoing situation highlights the complex interplay between drug enforcement policies and human rights concerns, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that safeguards lives while addressing illicit drug trafficking.