A special rapporteur for the United Nations human rights council has stated there are “reasonable grounds to believe” that American military strikes targeting vessels alleged to be involved in drug trafficking constitute crimes against humanity. The attacks, initiated in September 2025 and conducted in waters across the Pacific and Caribbean regions, have resulted in more than 230 deaths according to independent monitoring organizations.
The UN human rights expert, Ben Saul, issued the assessment after reviewing 68 documented attacks that killed 223 people, though casualty figures from organizations tracking the operations suggest the toll may be higher. Saul’s analysis concluded the strikes represent not only extrajudicial killings but also violations of international maritime law, humanitarian law, and various international conventions governing narcotics enforcement and counter-terrorism activities. The expert rejected characterizations of the operations as lawful self-defense, noting that the targeted vessels and crews lacked military capabilities and had not mounted armed attacks against the United States.
The US Southern Command, which oversees the operations, has maintained that strikes are conducted only against vessels confirmed through intelligence to be involved in narco-trafficking. In announcements of individual attacks, the command has typically provided minimal details about the intelligence basis for targeting decisions or the identities of those killed. The State Department has not publicly responded to the UN assessment.
Investigative journalists and human rights organizations have identified some of those killed, documenting cases where victims had minimal or no involvement in trafficking networks. Research examining the impact of the strikes on drug flows into the US indicates the operations have not reduced cocaine entering the country, despite claims made by government officials regarding the effectiveness of the campaign.
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