More than 70 legislators from across the Western Hemisphere—including the United States, Canada, and Colombia—are pressing the Trump administration to halt its lethal military campaign against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. In a two-page statement released Tuesday, the lawmakers condemned the strikes as extrajudicial killings at sea, arguing they violate fundamental legal protections.
"The rights to life, due process and protections against the arbitrary use of force are core principles of democratic rule of law that our countries have committed to uphold," the statement reads. "Allegations of drug trafficking, however serious, do not circumvent or override these protections, nor do they justify lethal force against people who pose no imminent threat."
Since September 2, 2025, the U.S. military has conducted at least 70 strikes on suspected smuggling boats, killing 234 individuals labeled by the administration as "narco-terrorists." Officials have not provided public evidence that the targeted vessels were carrying drugs. The campaign, part of a broader effort to disrupt illicit narcotics flows and dismantle criminal networks in the hemisphere, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates and legal scholars who argue it violates international law.
The lawmakers also raised concerns that other governments may be complicit through intelligence sharing, base access, logistical support, or other forms of cooperation. "Under international law, states may incur responsibility when they provide aid or assistance in the commission of internationally wrongful acts," they wrote. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
On Monday, Ben Saul, a top United Nations human rights expert, released an 11-page legal analysis concluding that the lethal strikes violate international law and could amount to crimes against humanity. Saul rejected the administration's self-defense justification, noting that the targeted criminal groups have not mounted an armed attack on the United States. "There is no right to use force in self-defence against the criminal groups listed as terrorist organizations," he wrote.
In recent weeks, U.S. forces in the Southern Command theater have shifted tactics, targeting larger fishing boats allegedly used as "floating refueling stations." Instead of destroying these vessels with crew aboard, helicopters hover over the water while Marines board to remove personnel before any strike is launched.
The lawmakers' statement emphasized that combating drug trafficking and transnational organized crime requires international cooperation grounded in law and human rights. They called for accountability, transparency, diligent investigations, and democratic oversight of security policies.
The controversy comes as the administration faces mounting international scrutiny. President Trump recently suggested a Ukraine deal could be near while meeting with Zelenskyy, and the Pentagon has announced a new battlefield test for general promotions under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Meanwhile, the State Department approved a $2.6 billion Ukraine air defense package amid renewed Russian strikes.
