A new military campaign in international waters has reignited debates over legal boundaries and national sovereignty.
Story Highlights
- The US military has conducted lethal strikes on suspected drug boats since September 2025.
- At least 83 people have died across 21 incidents, sparking international condemnation.
- These actions are claimed to contravene international law and norms.
- The Trump administration defends the strikes as necessary for combating narcoterrorism.
US Military Actions in International Waters
Since September 2025, the US military, under the Trump administration, has carried out airstrikes against vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. These vessels are alleged to be operated by narcoterrorist groups transporting illicit drugs to the United States. This military action marks a significant escalation in the war on drugs, as previous US interdiction efforts typically involved Coast Guard actions rather than military strikes.
The strikes, resulting in over 83 deaths across 21 incidents, have been justified by the US as part of a broader anti-drug trafficking campaign. However, critics argue that these are extrajudicial killings and breaches of international law, drawing widespread condemnation from international bodies, legal experts, and affected governments. The UN has publicly condemned these actions as violations of international norms.
International Condemnation and Legal Disputes
International bodies such as the UN and human rights organizations have criticized the US strikes, labeling them as extrajudicial executions. Law experts argue that such actions violate international law, as they occur outside of any armed conflict context and lack self-defense justification. The US administration, however, claims that traffickers are unlawful combatants, thus justifying the use of military force.
The US is not a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which complicates the legal landscape. Despite this, previous US actions typically adhered to international maritime norms. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an immediate halt to the strikes and a thorough investigation into the actions.
Implications for US-Latin America Relations
The lethal strikes have led to heightened diplomatic tensions and potential long-term implications on US-Latin America relations. Regional governments, such as those of Venezuela and Colombia, have accused the US of violating their sovereignty and causing civilian casualties. The ongoing strikes may disrupt drug trafficking routes, but they also risk eroding international legal norms and potentially setting a precedent for similar military actions against non-state actors at sea.
Families of those killed, regional governments, and international bodies remain affected by the ongoing situation. The US Senate has failed to pass resolutions that would limit presidential authority for these actions, highlighting the complexity and divisiveness of the issue within the US political landscape.
Sources:
Wikipedia entry on 2025 US military strikes
UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights press release
