Three men have been killed in a US strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean, according to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
This incident marks the latest in a series of military actions by the Trump administration aimed at combating drug trafficking into the US. Critics have raised legal and ethical concerns regarding these strikes, which have faced condemnation from several Latin American leaders.
Since the campaign began in September, questions surrounding the legality of these strikes under international law have emerged, especially with attacks reportedly targeting vessels in international waters. Colombian President Gustavo Petro labeled the attacks as murder, alleging US intentions to dominate the region.
During the recent strike, Hegseth claimed the targeted boat was operated by a designated terrorist organization and was traveling along a known smuggling route. However, no concrete evidence has been presented to support these claims, leading to assertions of potential misuse of military power.
The implications of these strikes extend beyond drug enforcement, with concerns that they might be politically motivated actions against governments in the region, particularly given the rising tensions between the US and left-leaning administrations in Latin America, such as those in Colombia and Venezuela.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk has expressed severe criticism of these operations, noting that the rising death toll raises significant ethical concerns and violates international laws. Pressure mounts as the Trump administration continues to bolster military presence in the Caribbean, with military analysts arguing that the scale of deployment exceeds what is necessary for combating drug trafficking.
