UN Human Rights Chief Condemns US Strikes on Alleged Drug Boats
In a significant statement on Friday, the U.N. human rights chief condemned recent U.S. military strikes targeting boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. These vessels are allegedly involved in transporting illegal drugs from South America to the United States.
U.N. Condemnation of U.S. Strikes
Volker Türk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasized that these attacks are “unacceptable” and should cease immediately. This marks a pivotal moment, as it represents the first formal condemnation from a United Nations body regarding the U.S. military operations.
Call for Investigation
Türk called for a thorough investigation into the operations, highlighting that over sixty fatalities have been reported since early September. During a regular U.N. briefing, Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the rights chief, conveyed his concerns about the escalating human cost of these strikes.
- Over 60 reported deaths since early September.
- 14 strikes carried out as part of the campaign.
- Four casualties in the most recent strike targeting a drug boat.
Shamdasani stated that the U.S. military’s rationale for these strikes as part of an anti-drug and counter-terrorism initiative raises serious legal questions. According to her, countries have reached a consensus that the fight against drug trafficking should fall under law enforcement, adhering to strict regulations on the use of lethal force.
Legal Implications of Military Action
The intentional use of lethal force must only occur as a last resort in response to an imminent threat to life. Shamdasani argued that the current U.S. strikes, which happen outside recognized conflict zones, could be viewed as extrajudicial killings, infringing on the right to life.
As this controversy unfolds, U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly defended the military strikes, labeling them necessary to combat the flow of drugs into America. However, this stance has drawn mixed reactions from various nations within the region, who continue to debate the implications of such military actions.
