US Caribbean strikes: death toll rises amid legality concerns

WEB DESK: Three individuals were killed on Monday during a US military strike on a vessel suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean Sea, according to official reports. This latest engagement marks a significant escalation in a maritime campaign that began in early September, bringing the total estimated death toll to at least 150.

Rising casualties fuel debate over extrajudicial tactics

US Southern Command, the division responsible for American operations in the region, confirmed the strike via a post on X. The military body stated the vessel was “transiting along known narco-trafficking routes” and was actively “engaged in narco-trafficking operations.” Accompanying the statement was a video showing a stationary boat being obliterated by an explosion.

The administration of President Donald Trump has maintained a hardline stance, asserting that the United States is effectively “at war” with “narco-terrorists” across Latin America. However, the campaign has faced fierce criticism from the international community. Skeptics point out that the US military has yet to provide definitive evidence proving the targeted vessels were carrying illicit cargo.

The lack of transparency has sparked a heated debate regarding the legality of the operations. International law experts and human rights organisations have raised the alarm, suggesting that because the strikes target individuals who have not been tried or convicted, they may constitute extrajudicial killings of civilians.