US officials say they have carried out a number of strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea, killing multiple drug traffickers. Announcing the first of these in September, President Donald Trump stated his forces had destroyed a vessel departing from Venezuela, operated by the Tren de Aragua cartel and allegedly carrying drugs bound for the US.
Similar announcements have followed in recent weeks, accompanied by grainy footage but lacking evidence. Trump's officials assert they are acting in self-defense. However, the strikes have drawn condemnation in the region, with the Colombian president disputing claims about the nationality of the attacked vessels.
Legal experts have raised concerns over the US's compliance with international law, which generally prohibits interference with vessels in international waters without justification, such as an immediate threat. The US is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea but is urged to act in accordance with its provisions. Experts argue that the measures taken seem excessive and likely unlawful under maritime law.
Questions about the legality of the strikes also extend to domestic law, particularly the War Powers Resolution and whether Trump has acted within his presidential powers. The strikes were authorized amidst reports of increased US military operations in the region targeting drug cartels and associated trafficking routes.
Venezuela has expressed outrage over the operations, claiming a lack of evidence for American accusations of drug trafficking against its government. Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to defend the actions, frequently citing the need to protect the US from the influx of drugs.
