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https://theconversation.com/us-obliteration-of-caribbean-boat-was-a-clear-violation-of-international-right-to-life-laws-no-matter-who-was-on-board-264568>
"The U.S. government is justifying its lethal destruction of a boat suspected
of transporting illegal drugs in the Caribbean as an attack on
“narco-terrorists.”
But as an expert on international law, I know that line of argument goes
nowhere. Even if, as the U.S. claims, the 11 people killed in the Sept. 2,
2025, U.S. Naval strike were members of the Tren de Aragua gang, it would make
no difference under the laws that govern the use of force by state actors.
Nor does the fact that protests from other nations in the region are unlikely,
due in large part to Washington’s diplomatic and economic power – and President
Donald Trump’s willingness to wield it.
Protest is not what proves the law. Unlawful killing is unlawful regardless of
who does it, why, or the reaction to it. And in regard to the U.S. strike on
the alleged Venezuelan drug boat, the deaths were unlawful.
Domestic U.S. legal issues aside – and concerns have been raised on those
grounds, too – the killings in the Caribbean violated the human right to life,
an ancient principle codified today in leading human rights treaties."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
