UN Human Rights Chief Condemns US Strikes on Alleged Drug Traffickers

Sat Nov 01 2025 06:49:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, has raised concerns over US military actions against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific, declaring them illegal and indicative of extrajudicial killings.

Volker Türk, UN high commissioner for human rights, has condemned the recent US military strikes targeting boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking, stating these actions violate international law and could be considered extrajudicial killings. More than 60 deaths are reported since September, prompting calls for the US to stop these strikes and instead use law enforcement methods. Mixed responses from US and foreign officials further complicate the situation, highlighting regional tensions.

The UN's human rights chief has condemned US military strikes on vessels allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean and Pacific, saying the lethal attacks violate international law and amount to extrajudicial killing.

Volker Türk said on Friday that more than 60 people have reportedly been killed in US strikes since early September.

Calling the attacks unacceptable, he stated that Washington must halt them immediately and conduct prompt, independent and transparent investigations.

President Donald Trump has justified the strikes, asserting they are necessary to reduce drug flow into the US and claiming he has legal authority to target boats in international waters.

Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth described the targets as vessels operated by drug-trafficking groups recognized as terrorist organizations by the US, asserting that the Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans.

While acknowledging challenges in combating drug trafficking, Türk reaffirmed that such military strikes find no justification in international law. He emphasized that countering drug trafficking should be a law enforcement issue, and any use of lethal force should only be used as a last resort against individuals posing an imminent threat to life.

This has sparked backlash within the US Congress, with both parties expressing concern over the legality of the strikes. Additionally, foreign leaders, including Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum, have condemned the actions and called for respect for international treaties.

Heightened tensions with Colombian and Venezuelan governments have arisen as the US imposes sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro and accuses Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro of drug trafficking, a claim Maduro denies.

The US military presence has increased in the Caribbean, with naval deployments and airstrikes reported as tensions over drug enforcement continue to escalate.