The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has strongly criticized the recent U.S. military strike in the Caribbean, which killed six people aboard what Washington described as an “alleged drug-smuggling vessel.” Calling the operation “unacceptable,” the UN rights chief urged the United States to respect international law and ensure accountability for civilian casualties in counter-narcotics missions.
In a statement released from Geneva, Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, said that while states have the right to combat drug trafficking, “the use of lethal force must always comply with the principles of necessity and proportionality.” He added that the U.S. action risked setting “a dangerous precedent” by justifying deadly military responses in cases where evidence and jurisdiction remain unclear.
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed earlier this week that American forces had intercepted a vessel off the coast of a Caribbean nation, allegedly carrying narcotics and posing a “threat” to U.S. and regional security. Officials claimed the strike was conducted “in coordination with local partners” and followed repeated warnings to stop.
Human rights groups, however, have questioned the legality of the strike, saying there is little transparency on the evidence or rules of engagement. Amnesty International called for an independent investigation, arguing that extrajudicial killings under the guise of anti-drug operations undermine the global human rights framework.
The UN statement also urged the U.S. to work more closely with international partners through law enforcement and judicial cooperation rather than resorting to armed intervention.
Regional leaders in Latin America have expressed unease, with several foreign ministries seeking clarification from Washington. Observers say the incident could further strain U.S. relations in the region, especially amid long-standing criticism of its militarized approach to the war on drugs.