U.S. military strikes targeting Venezuelan vessels in international waters have sparked global condemnation, with UN experts calling them "extrajudicial executions" that violate international law. The controversy highlights escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas amid a Caribbean military buildup. 💥
What’s Happening?
President Donald Trump has authorized at least six strikes on suspected drug-trafficking ships since late 2024, killing 27 people. The U.S. claims these actions combat "narcoterrorism" linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. But UN-appointed experts argue the operations lack legal justification and breach sovereignty. ⚖️
Why It Matters
The UN Human Rights Council experts stressed that even if drug allegations were true, using lethal force in international waters without due process is illegal. Venezuela’s foreign minister accused the U.S. of "fabricating enemies" to justify attacks, while Washington dismissed critics as Maduro sympathizers. 🌐
Military Buildup Alert
Behind the scenes, the U.S. has deployed guided-missile destroyers, F-35 jets, and 6,500 troops to the Caribbean. Trump’s recent authorization of CIA covert ops in Venezuela has further raised alarms, with experts warning such actions could breach the UN Charter. 🚢✈️
As diplomatic tensions surge, the world watches whether this Caribbean standoff will spiral into broader conflict—or if cooler heads will prevail. 🔍
Reference(s):
Experts term U.S. strikes against Venezuela 'extrajudicial executions'
cgtn.com