A group of independent United Nations experts has condemned recent US military strikes on Venezuelan vessels in international waters, describing them as “extrajudicial executions” and warning that they represent a dangerous escalation in the Caribbean.

In recent months, US President Donald Trump authorized attacks on at least six boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking, resulting in the killing of at least 27 people.

According to Washington, the strikes form part of Trump’s broader campaign against what he has called a “narcoterrorist” threat linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, an accusation contested by observers as the US administration has not provided any evidence to substantiate its claims.

In this regard, UN experts stressed that such actions breach international law. “Even if such allegations were substantiated, the use of lethal force in international waters without a proper legal basis violates the international law of the sea and amounts to extrajudicial executions,” they stressed.

'An extremely dangerous escalation'

The experts, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, argued that the strikes infringe upon Venezuela’s sovereignty and contravene Washington’s “fundamental international obligations” not to interfere in another nation’s internal affairs or use threats of armed force.

“These moves are an extremely dangerous escalation with grave implications for peace and security in the Caribbean region,” they warned in a statement.

It is worth noting that the United States has rejected the legitimacy of Maduro’s 2024 re-election, claiming there was “overwhelming evidence” that his opponent had won instead. The Venezuelan opposition failed to provide evidence of electoral tampering when pressed by the country's judicial authorities.

Related News

UAE likely to skip 'US-led Gaza force' over lack of clear plan

Russia warns Gaza ceasefire fragile, urges focus on two-state plan

“These so-called ‘experts’ fail to acknowledge the fact that they're advocating for an illegitimate leader who is a fugitive of American justice who undermines our regional security and poisons Americans,” a senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters.

Washington has defended its actions by invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows nations to act in self-defense against armed attack, provided the Security Council is immediately notified.

The UN experts said they had contacted Washington regarding their concerns, warning that “covert or direct military action against another sovereign state would constitute an even graver breach” of the UN Charter.

Wider context

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said the UN findings validate Caracas’ long-standing concerns about US aggression. “The United States fabricates enemies to justify a supposed right to self-defense, which results in massacres in the Caribbean,” Gil wrote on Telegram.

The strikes come amid a significant US military buildup in the Caribbean involving guided-missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear-powered submarine, and roughly 6,500 troops as Trump intensifies his confrontation with Maduro’s government.

Last week, Trump also announced that he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to carry out covert operations in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, Venezuela called on the UN Security Council to formally declare recent US military strikes off its coast illegal and to affirm the country's sovereignty, according to a letter from Venezuela's UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada seen by Reuters.

In the letter, dated Wednesday, Moncada urged the 15-member Council to investigate the legality of the US actions and to issue a statement reaffirming “unrestricted respect for the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of states,” including Venezuela.

Despite the appeal, any formal Security Council action is unlikely, as the US holds veto power.

Read next: Venezuela deploys 20,000 troops amid renewed US threats