Geneva, 1 September, 2026.- UN experts* today demanded an end to unlawful killings by the United States of America, after at least 223 deaths at sea were recorded from US air strikes in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean over the past year.
“These systematic killings gravely violate the fundamental obligation to respect the right to life. International law does not permit governments to simply murder alleged criminals at sea, just as the police cannot summarily execute people on the street in United States territory,” the experts said.
They rejected the U.S. Government’s legal claims justifying the attacks.
«Drug cartels and gangs are not carrying out armed attacks against the United States, and therefore there is no right of self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. Drug trafficking is a law enforcement matter governed by international human rights law on the use of force. Calling it war does not make it one,” the experts said.
Since 2 September 2025, the United States military has struck at least 68 vessels in international waters, killing everyone on board in most cases, while leaving behind missing persons in some other cases, on the basis that the boats were trafficking drugs on behalf of groups designated as terrorist organisations under U.S. law.
“No armed conflict exists with the United States under international humanitarian law, since there is no military combat between two sides. The United States is simply killing individuals unilaterally without any legal basis or process. Alleged drug traffickers are not combatants. These killings are extrajudicial and unlawful.”
“Under international human rights law, which applies at sea, lethal force may only be used in personal self-defence or in defence of others, where it is strictly necessary and proportionate to prevent an imminent threat to life. The United States has not asserted such a threat and has indicated that it could have, but chose not to, intercept ships.”
The right to life requires prompt measures to search for, rescue and provide medical assistance to people placed in distress by such operations.
The international law of the sea likewise requires a law enforcement rather than a military response. There is also no basis for the military targeting of vessels and crews under narcotics suppression treaties or international counter-terrorism law.
“The attacks may also constitute crimes against maritime safety, giving other countries jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute,” the experts said.
A number of additional vessels have reportedly disappeared in suspicious circumstances.
“All alleged violations of the right to life must be investigated promptly, effectively, thoroughly independently, impartially and transparently, in line with international law. All perpetrators, including military and civilian chains of command, must be held accountable. Victims and their families are entitled to full reparation, including compensation, and guarantees that such killings will not recur.”
“Other States must refrain from aiding or assisting in violations of the right to life, by refusing to share intelligence or making military assets available to the United States.”
Recognising that organised criminal violence associated with drug trafficking can threaten the right to life and public safety, the experts said that States must take all feasible measures to prevent and suppress these threats, while fully respecting international human rights law.
“Drug trafficking can be effectively prevented by strengthening law enforcement action, international legal cooperation, gun controls, and measures to prevent organised crime and drug abuse, including harm reduction, public health and education, and development.”
The experts are in contact with the Government of the United States on these issues.