United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Friday condemned U.S. military airstrikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific as “unacceptable” and in violation of international law, marking a rare direct rebuke of American operations. Speaking through spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani at a Geneva briefing, Türk demanded an immediate cessation of the attacks and a full investigation into the mounting death toll.

The strikes, initiated under President Donald Trump’s escalated anti-drug campaign in early September 2025, have killed at least 61 people across 14 incidents, including four in the latest Pacific operation announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday. The U.S. frames the actions as vital to disrupting cartel networks and protecting national security, but Türk’s office insists they constitute extrajudicial killings outside any armed conflict.

“Lethal force is permissible only as a last resort against imminent threats to life,” Shamdasani emphasized, rejecting U.S. claims of counter-terrorism justification. She stressed that drug trafficking, while a serious crime, remains a law enforcement issue governed by strict human rights standards—not military engagement.

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The operations target vessels allegedly transporting narcotics from South America, but human rights monitors report no evidence of onboard resistance or immediate danger in most cases. Regional governments have voiced growing unease, with some quietly protesting the unilateral actions in international waters.

As the 15th strike looms, Türk’s call amplifies global pressure on Washington to align its drug war tactics with the right to life, potentially complicating U.S. alliances in Latin America and the Caribbean. The condemnation arrives amid strained hemispheric relations, with Colombia and Mexico already criticizing U.S. overflights and naval incursions. Legal experts warn the strikes could trigger International Court of Justice challenges or UN Security Council debates, especially if civilian casualties rise further. For now, the Pentagon shows no signs of retreat, insisting the campaign has seized over 40 tons of cocaine and heroin—claiming lives lost are “unavoidable collateral” in a war on cartels.

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