United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has called on the United States to stop carrying out strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking, describing the operations as “extrajudicial killings.”
The U.S. government has defended the strikes, saying they are part of its broader strategy to combat illegal drug trade under President Donald Trump’s administration. Officials argue the operations have disrupted trafficking routes and helped intercept large quantities of narcotics.
Human rights groups and international observers, however, have criticized the strikes for allegedly violating the right to due process and risking civilian casualties. Bachelet warned that using lethal force outside traditional combat settings could set a dangerous precedent for other nations.
The U.S. military and Coast Guard have led these missions in high-traffic areas such as the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, employing advanced surveillance and international cooperation to target suspected smuggling vessels.
Bachelet urged the U.S. and other nations to adopt non-lethal, lawful measures and ensure that suspects receive due judicial process. She said the international community must uphold justice and accountability even in efforts to curb global drug trafficking.
The U.S. government has not yet issued an official response to Bachelet’s statement but reiterated its commitment to national security and the fight against illegal drugs.
