UN Rapporteur Condemns U.S. Strikes on Alleged Drug Boats as Possible 'Crimes Against Humanity'
Ben Saul said the strikes may amount to serial extrajudicial killings, citing at least 223 deaths in 68 attacks and survivors left to die.
- On Monday, UN Special Rapporteur Ben Saul released a briefing note warning that US military strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific may constitute "crimes against humanity," citing 68 attacks that killed 223 people since September 2025.
- Operation Southern Spear, initiated in September 2025, targets vessels suspected of trafficking narcotics and designated terrorist groups. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth previously argued the campaign removes "narco-terrorists from our hemisphere" to protect the United States.
- The US military conducted its 69th strike on Saturday, killing four people and raising the death toll to at least 231. Legal analyst Ryan Goodman criticized the use of "double tap" strikes, which he said killed civilians.
- UN experts argue that organized criminal activity does not authorize lethal military force, contradicting the administration's self-defense rationale. The dispute centers on whether human rights standards govern maritime enforcement operations.
- A mid-2026 Drug Enforcement Administration assessment found the campaign failed to reduce cocaine supply or prices. Gen. Francis Donovan admitted in March that boat strikes are "probably not the most effective" tool for limiting drug flows.
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11 Articles
A United Nations report released today says recent attacks by the US military on ships suspected of being involved in drug smuggling have violated international law and could amount to crimes against humanity.
UN rapporteur condemns U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats as possible 'crimes against humanity'
A United Nations special rapporteur has published a damning report on the U.S. military campaign of missile strikes on boats allegedly transporting drugs, characterizing them as "serial extrajudicial killings."
UN Expert Says US Strikes On Drug Boats Could Be Crimes Against Humanity
A UN expert says US strikes on alleged drug boats could be crimes against humanity. The campaign has killed 223 people across at least 68 vessels, according to the expert. Washington maintains the strikes target designated drug-trafficking groups.
A UN REPORT concludes that US airstrikes against alleged drug smugglers, which have killed over 220 people, violate international law and could amount to crimes against humanity.
The report said the attacks were unjustified and amounted to executions.
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