Over 70 lawmakers from North and South America, including representatives from the U.S., Canada, and Colombia, have expressed their opposition to what they consider extrajudicial killings carried out by the Trump administration against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
“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. 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,” lawmakers stated in a two-page document.
Since last September, the U.S. military has conducted fatal strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels, resulting in over 220 deaths, a move criticized by human rights activists and legal experts for violating international law. The Trump administration defends these actions as necessary to combat “narco-terrorist” networks.
Despite the strikes, U.S. officials have not presented evidence validating the presence of drugs on these fast boats. The campaign has seen at least 70 strikes, claiming 234 lives since its inception on September 2, 2025.
Lawmakers raised concerns about these operations being potentially aided through intelligence sharing and logistical support from other governments. States may be accountable under international law for aiding internationally wrongful acts.
A U.N. human rights expert, Ben Saul, asserts that the strikes breach international law and could be classified as “crimes against humanity.”
Saul mentioned that force cannot be justified against criminal groups unless they pose an armed threat to the U.S.
Recently, U.S. forces have targeted larger fishing vessels in the Eastern Pacific, alleged to be “floating refueling stations.” The approach now involves removing the crew before launching a strike to minimize casualties.
Lawmakers advocate for combating drug trafficking through international cooperation rooted in law, human rights, transparency, and democratic oversight.
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