The United Nations on Friday stated that U.S. airstrikes targeting vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific accused of drug trafficking violate international human rights law and must be stopped. The UN called for measures to prevent the extrajudicial killings of individuals on the targeted boats.

Strong Warning from the UN

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk told ABC News that the attacks violate international law and urged a thorough investigation.
“This attacks and increasing human losses are unacceptable. The U.S. must halt such strikes and take all necessary measures to prevent the summary execution of the people on these boats, regardless of any alleged crimes against them,” he said.

He added, “Under international human rights law, lethal force may only be used as a last resort against persons posing an imminent threat to life. Based on the very limited information U.S. officials have released publicly, it appears that none of the individuals on the targeted boats posed such a threat to others’ lives or justified the use of lethal armed force under international law.”

White House Defends Controversial Attacks

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told ABC News, “The UN has failed on everything from running escalators to ending wars. Now they want to lecture President Trump and protect malevolent drug terrorists trying to kill Americans? Ridiculous. The President acted in accordance with the laws of armed conflict to protect our country from those trying to bring poison to our shores and is fulfilling his promise to fight cartels, eliminate these national security threats, and save lives.”

Since September, President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have conducted more than a dozen military strikes against vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, claiming they were part of drug and counterterrorism measures. According to U.S. officials, the attacks have killed over 60 people.

Hegseth said Wednesday, “The U.S. carried out a lethal kinetic strike against a drug trafficking vessel operated by a terrorist organization in the Eastern Pacific.”
He added, “This ship, like the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in drug trafficking, was on a known drug trafficking route, and was carrying drugs.”

Human Losses and Legal Debate

The UN Human Rights Office, through spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, emphasized at a Friday briefing: “These attacks and increasing human losses are unacceptable. The U.S. must halt such strikes and take all necessary measures to prevent the summary execution of people on these boats.”

This marks the first time the UN has publicly condemned the attacks and called for an investigation consistent with international law and human rights standards.