Published on: 2026-09-01
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 1, 2026 International Law
A group of independent UN experts has called on the United States of America to immediately cease the practice of strikes on vessels in international waters, describing the deaths of at least 223 people over the past year as a “gross violation of the right to life” and international law.
According to experts, since September 2, 2025, the American military has struck at least 68 vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. In most cases, everyone on board was killed, while in others, people are listed as missing. The United States claims that these vessels were transporting drugs for groups designated as terrorist organizations under American law.
Experts rejected Washington’s legal arguments, stating that drug trafficking is not an armed attack on a state and does not grant the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
“From the standpoint of international humanitarian law, there is no armed conflict involving the United States, since no hostilities between the two parties are being conducted in this case,” the statement says. “The United States unilaterally kills people without any legal basis or judicial process. Persons suspected of drug trafficking are not combatants. These killings are extrajudicial and unlawful.”
According to international law, experts noted, the use of lethal force is permissible only to protect life when there is an imminent threat. The United States did not claim that such a threat existed, and acknowledged that they could intercept vessels, but did not do so.
Experts also reminded that states are obliged to immediately conduct search and rescue operations to save people who are in distress due to military actions. International maritime law requires a law enforcement, not military, approach to combating drug trafficking, and does not provide grounds for the destruction of vessels and crews.
Experts warned that such attacks might fall under the category of crimes against maritime safety, giving other states the right to investigate violations and prosecute those responsible.
UN experts demanded the conduct of “independent, effective, and transparent” investigations into all cases of deaths, holding all those responsible accountable, and providing compensation to the victims and their families.
Independent experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. They are not UN staff members and do not receive a salary for their work. The experts act in their personal capacity and independently of governments and any organizations.
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