The United Nations human rights chief has unequivocally stated that U.S. military strikes against vessels allegedly transporting illegal drugs from South America are “unacceptable” and must cease immediately. This condemnation, issued on Friday, October 31, 2025, appears to be the first of its kind from a United Nations organization regarding these specific operations.
These attacks have been justified by President Donald Trump as a necessary escalation in efforts to curb the flow of illicit drugs into the United States.
However, Volker Turk, the UN’s human rights chief, has called for a thorough investigation into the strikes. According to UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, more than 60 individuals have reportedly lost their lives in these naval operations across the region since early September.
“These attacks and their mounting human cost are unacceptable,” Shamdasani emphasized during a UN briefing in Geneva.
She further conveyed Mr. Turk’s strong belief that “airstrikes by the United States of America on boats in the Caribbean and in the Pacific violate international human rights law.” Reiterating the gravity of the situation, she added, “These attacks and their mounting human cost are unacceptable.”
“The U.S. must halt such attacks and take all measures necessary to prevent the extrajudicial killing of people aboard these boats.” Ms. Shamdasani acknowledged U.S. explanations framing these efforts as an anti-drug and counter-terrorism campaign. Still, she underscored that nations have long agreed that combating illicit drug trafficking is fundamentally a law-enforcement matter, subject to “careful limits” on the use of lethal force.