UN Experts Condemn US Boat Strikes as Death Toll Reaches 223

Author: Faryal Fatima

September 3, 2026

HRRC calls on the US government to end illegal bombings of ships at sea. We emphasize that governments must respect the right to life and comply with international human rights law, even when addressing serious crimes such as drug trafficking and organized crime. 

[Image credit: Lawrence Hookham/Unsplash]

United Nations (UN) experts have called for the end of illegal killings at sea by the United States of America (US). At least 223 deaths at sea were reported from US air strikes in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean over the past year. The United States military has attacked at least 68 vessels in international waters since September 2, 2025, in many cases killing all on board. The US claims that the vessels are involved in drug trafficking, working with groups listed as terrorist organisations under US law.

“These systematic killings gravely violate the fundamental obligation to respect the right to life. International law does not permit governments to simply murder alleged criminals at sea, just as the police cannot summarily execute people on the street in United States territory,” the UN experts said.

The White House denies the illegality of the strikes against the boats, with President Donald Trump declaring the US to be in armed conflict with drug cartels from Latin America. His government claims those targeted were engaged in operations to move narcotics into the US, which it describes as a threat to the country's security and interests.

The first strike of the operation targeted a ship off Venezuela's coast, killing 11 people. It has been reported that two survived the first attack and were subsequently killed by a double tap on the ship. The US government has denied giving any illegal orders and stated any strike was lawful under both US and international law.

Since then, the US has increased the number of bombings in the Eastern Pacific to six per month on average. October 2025 was the deadliest month, during which 45 people were killed in eleven air strikes, including 15 people in three air strikes on October 27, the deadliest day of the campaign so far. In 2026, the US military has killed more than 70 people at sea, at least nine in the past month. 

“All alleged violations of the right to life must be investigated promptly, effectively, thoroughly independently, impartially and transparently, in line with international law. All perpetrators, including military and civilian chains of command, must be held accountable. Victims and their families are entitled to full reparation, including compensation, and guarantees that such killings will not recur,” the UN experts added.

Amnesty International is also demanding that the international community hold the US government responsible.

“Beyond U.S. authorities, we need to see leadership from other governments in the region, as well as the Organization of American States,” said Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International.

“The international community must speak out firmly against these murders, which constitute a serious threat to human rights and respect for international law. Governments must immediately suspend intelligence sharing that may contribute to these operations. They further should suspend export licenses to any defense material that could be used to perpetuate these murders,” she further stated.

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Glossary

1. Alleged: Said or thought by some people to be the stated bad or illegal thing, although you have no proof.

2. Cartel: A group of similar independent companies who join together to control prices and limit competition.

3. Civilian chain of command: The  supreme line of authority where elected or appointed civilian officials, free of military rank, hold ultimate control and decision-making power over a nation's armed forces.

4. Double tap: The technique or act of shooting a target twice in rapid succession. 

5. Drug trafficking:  The illegal buying, selling, or movement of drugs, especially from one place to another.

6. Fundamental:  Forming the base, from which everything else develops.

7. Intelligence sharing: The ability to exchange information, intelligence, data or knowledge among Federal, state or local entities as appropriate. 

8. Illegal: Not allowed by law.

9. Narcotic: Drug that produces pain relief, narcosis (state of sleep) or addiction.

10. Obligation: The fact that you are obliged to do something.

11. Perpetrator:  Someone who commits a crime or a violent or harmful act.

12. Perpetuate: To cause something to continue.

13. Premise: An idea or theory on which a statement or action is based.

14. Promptly: Quickly or without delay, or at the arranged time.

15. Right to life: A belief that a human has the right to live and shouldn’t be killed by another entity. 

16. Strike: To hit or attack someone forcefully or violently.

17. Threat: A suggestion that something unpleasant or violent will happen.

18. Trafficking: The act of buying or selling goods illegally.

19. Vessel: A large boat or a ship.

20. Violate: To break or act against something, especially a law.