UN Experts Say US Strikes Against Venezuela Amount to 'Extrajudicial Executions'

Post by : Saif Nasser

A group of independent United Nations experts has said that recent U.S. military strikes against Venezuela in international waters are a serious escalation and could be considered "extrajudicial executions."

In the last few months, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered attacks on at least six ships suspected of carrying drugs in the Caribbean. These strikes have killed at least 27 people. The U.S. says these actions are part of its fight against what it calls "narcoterrorist threats" linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The U.N. experts recognized the U.S. claim but said that using lethal force in international waters without proper legal approval is against international law. They stated, "Even if such allegations were true, these actions violate the law of the sea and count as extrajudicial executions."

The experts, chosen by the U.N. Human Rights Council, also said the strikes violate Venezuela’s sovereignty. They said the United States has a duty under international law not to interfere in another country's affairs or threaten military action. They added that the attacks are a dangerous step that could harm peace and security in the Caribbean region.

The U.S. government rejected the criticism. A senior State Department official, speaking anonymously, said the experts are ignoring the fact that they are supporting what the U.S. calls an illegitimate leader who threatens regional security. The U.S. argues that its actions follow Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, which allows countries to act in self-defense and requires them to inform the U.N. Security Council.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil welcomed the U.N. experts’ statement, saying it confirmed Venezuela's concerns about the U.S. military actions. He said, "The United States creates enemies to justify a supposed right to self-defense, which leads to massacres in the Caribbean."

The U.S. strikes come amid a growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, which includes guided-missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine, and about 6,500 troops. Trump also recently authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to carry out covert operations in Venezuela.

The U.N. experts said they have communicated their concerns to the U.S. They warned that covert or direct military actions against another sovereign country would be an even more serious violation of the U.N. Charter.

The situation highlights growing tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Experts warn that continued military actions could escalate conflict in the region and have serious consequences for international peace.