UN expert says US drug‑boat strikes could be crimes against humanity

A UN human‑rights special rapporteur has announced that there are “reasonable grounds to believe” the United States’ attacks on vessels in the Pacific and Caribbean constitute crimes against humanity. The investigation focuses on a series of strikes carried out since September 2025, which the U.S. government justified as efforts to intercept drug shipments destined for the United States. According to the rapporteur’s findings, the operations have resulted in more than 230 deaths, including the most recent incident on Saturday that claimed four lives in the Caribbean.

The report underscores the scale of the maritime campaign and raises questions about compliance with international humanitarian law. While U.S. authorities maintain that the actions target illicit trafficking, the UN assessment calls for further scrutiny and potential accountability measures. The findings add pressure on Washington to address the legal and ethical implications of its anti‑drug strategy at sea.