U.S. Criticism of International Actions: Caribbean and Beyond

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is facing scrutiny from G7 foreign ministers over the legality of U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean targeting suspected drug trafficking boats. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot expressed concerns about these operations, stating they may violate international law and could lead to increased instability in the region, particularly affecting French overseas territories where over a million French citizens reside.

Barrot's criticisms mark a rare instance of pushback against U.S. actions under the Trump administration. The G7 meeting, hosted by Canada near Niagara Falls, primarily focused on issues like Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza, but the legality of U.S. strikes was a significant point of contention.

Reports indicate that U.S. military strikes have resulted in at least 75 deaths since September, with at least 19 strikes executed against suspected drug vessels. The U.S. government claims these vessels were involved in drug trafficking but has not provided public evidence or legal justification for the attacks.

Rubio defended the operations, asserting that European nations do not dictate U.S. national security measures. Meanwhile, a significant concern arose when the UK reportedly suspended intelligence-sharing with the U.S. over fears of potential criminal liability related to these attacks.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas remarked that such strikes could only be justified under self-defense or with a UN Security Council resolution. The legality of these actions has been challenged by international legal experts who argue that they may constitute war crimes.

Yale Law School professor Oona A Hathaway stated that conducting attacks without clear identification of targets violates both international and domestic law. The U.S. has cited Article 51 of the UN Charter as their legal basis for these strikes, claiming self-defense against armed attacks.

However, a group of independent UN experts contended that the use of lethal force in international waters without proper legal justification constitutes extrajudicial executions. Amidst this backdrop, the G7 meeting also addressed support for Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, demonstrating the complexity of current international relations and the various pressures facing global diplomacy today.