The United States military has confirmed that at least 157 people have been killed in lethal strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats off Latin America, described as a campaign of extrajudicial killings by legal experts. In a written statement to members of the US Congress, senior defence official Joseph Humire stated that 47 “narco-trafficking vessels” have been struck in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since the campaign began in September.
Asked by lawmakers on Tuesday whether the quantity of drugs entering the US has gone down, Humire claimed that the movement of drug-trafficking vessels had decreased by 20 percent in the Caribbean. However, Representative Adam Smith responded critically, stating, “But that’s a no in terms of the drugs actually getting into the US,” highlighting the dubious effectiveness of the strikes.
Experts have expressed skepticism that the strikes are having any significant impact on the drug trade, and legal scholars have said that the campaign is a clear violation of international law and is blurring the distinction between armed conflict and criminal activity. Under international law, military force is permitted for the former, but not the latter, raising serious legal and ethical concerns about the US regime's actions.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is holding hearings on the strikes, and advocates hope that the hearings could open the door to possible legal accountability for those responsible. The Pentagon has shared videos on social media showing strikes on the vessels, but has provided few details about those killed or evidence of their status as drug vessels, fueling accusations of opacity and potential human rights abuses.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has embraced a militarised approach to combatting drug trafficking that has allowed the US to expand its military footprint across the region. The US regime has stepped up collaboration with friendly governments such as Ecuador and threatened military strikes against countries like Mexico and Colombia if they do not do more to accommodate Washington's demands, further destabilizing the region.
Source: www.aljazeera.com