US-Caribbean Drug Crackdown Standoff: "Violation of International Law" vs "Should Be Grateful"

The United States and Europe are engaged in a war of nerves over a U.S. military operation targeting suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea. While Europe draws a clear line by viewing the U.S. military action as illegal, the United States maintains that Europe should be grateful, as its operation has prevented drugs from reaching Europe.

On the 12th (local time), The New York Times reported that at the Group of Seven (G7) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Canada, there were continued remarks criticizing the U.S. military operation in the Caribbean as illegal.

On the 12th (local time), participants of the Group of Seven (G7) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Canada are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Jean-No?l Barrot, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, told reporters the previous day that the U.S. operation in the Caribbean was a "violation of international law."

Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also stated in an interview with NBC that the U.S. attack had no legal basis and that she discussed this issue with other ministers at the G7 meeting.

Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, also clarified that while Canada has supported U.S. efforts to crack down on drugs, it "has not been involved" in the Caribbean operation.

However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio countered by saying, "Not a single person raised this issue at the meeting," denying that the matter was discussed at the G7 meeting.

He further rebutted the claim that the Caribbean attack lacked legal grounds, stating, "The key point is that the President will defend the United States' interests and security from threats posed by terrorist organizations."

Secretary Rubio argued that a significant number of the drug vessels targeted by the United States in the Caribbean are ultimately bound for Europe, saying, "Perhaps Europe should be grateful to us."

The Trump administration designated Venezuelan drug cartels smuggling drugs into the United States as terrorist organizations and has been sinking vessels suspected of transporting drugs in the Caribbean. Since September, several airstrikes have been conducted in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific, resulting in 76 deaths. This has led to concerns from the international community and accusations of violations of international law.

According to CNN in the United States the previous day, the United Kingdom and other key U.S. allies have suspended the sharing of information with the United States regarding vessels suspected of drug trafficking.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.