UN Condemns US Airstrikes on Drug Boats, Citing Over 60 Deaths and International Law Violations

Geneva – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has formally condemned U.S. airstrikes against alleged drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans, asserting that these actions violate international human rights law and must cease. The condemnation, issued on Friday, marks the first instance of a UN body formally censuring such U.S. operations. Türk called for an immediate investigation into the strikes, which have reportedly resulted in over 60 fatalities since early September.

In his statement, Türk emphasized that the intentional use of lethal force is permissible only as a last resort against individuals posing an imminent threat to life. "Based on the very sparse information provided publicly by the U.S. authorities, none of the individuals on the targeted boats appeared to pose an imminent threat to the lives of others," he stated, highlighting that anti-narcotics efforts are primarily law enforcement matters, not military conflicts. He urged the U.S. to adhere to established legal frameworks for intercepting vessels and detaining suspects.

The U.S. administration, led by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has justified the strikes as crucial anti-drug and counter-terrorism measures. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly responded to the UN's criticism, stating, "The UN has failed at everything from operating an escalator to ending wars — it’s ridiculous that they are now lecturing President Trump and running cover for evil narcoterrorists trying to murder Americans." She affirmed that the President acted to protect the country from national security threats.

Defense Secretary Hegseth announced the latest strike this week, which killed four individuals on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific, bringing the total number of strikes to over a dozen. He described the targeted vessels as "narco-trafficking vessels operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization." The UN's human rights office, however, stressed that these attacks, and their mounting human cost, are "unacceptable" and called for prompt, independent, and transparent investigations into the reported incidents.