UN Says Trump’s ‘Unacceptable’ Boat Strikes Violate International Law

AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis

The United Nations on Friday accused the United States of breaching international human rights law with a series of lethal strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific — the first time the U.N. has formally condemned the operations.

In Friday’s statement to ABC News, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said, “These attacks – and their mounting human cost – are unacceptable. The U.S. must halt such attacks and take all measures necessary to prevent the extrajudicial killing of people aboard these boats, whatever the criminal conduct alleged against them.”

“Under international human rights law, the intentional use of lethal force is only permissible as a last resort against individuals who pose an imminent threat to life,” Türk continued. “Based on the very sparse information provided publicly by the U.S. authorities, none of the individuals on the targeted boats appeared to pose an imminent threat to the lives of others or otherwise justified the use of lethal armed force against them under international law.”

Since September, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have authorized more than a dozen strikes on small boats U.S. officials describe as narco-trafficking or terrorist-linked vessels, reportedly killing over 60 people and fueling speculation that the administration may be laying groundwork for an on-the-ground confrontation with Venezuela. On Friday morning, Trump said he had not yet decided on military action.

Responding to a request for comment from ABC News, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said, “The UN has failed at everything from operating an escalator to ending wars — it’s ridiculous that they are now lecturing President Trump and running cover for evil narcoterrorists trying to murder Americans. The President acted in line with the laws of armed conflict to protect our country from those trying to bring poison to our shores.”