French Minister Accuses US of Disregarding International Law in Caribbean Operations
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Canada – France has voiced strong concerns that recent U.S. military operations involving strikes against vessels in the Caribbean Sea “disregard international law” and could foment instability in a region where France has significant presence and citizens. The condemnation came from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot during a G7 foreign ministers’ summit held near Niagara Falls, Canada, highlighting a growing international debate over the legality and implications of the U.S. campaign.
Barrot’s remarks underscore a widening rift between allies over the U.S. approach to combating maritime drug trafficking. The French minister specifically noted that France has overseas territories in the Caribbean and over a million citizens residing there, making any escalation of conflict or instability a direct concern for national security and well-being. “We have observed with concern military operations in the Caribbean region because they disregard international law and because France has a presence in this region through its overseas territories, where more than a million of our compatriots reside,” Barrot stated to reporters. “They could therefore be affected by the instability caused by any escalation, which we obviously want to avoid.”
Escalating US Military Presence and Strikes
The U.S. military, under the Trump administration, has significantly intensified its presence in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since early September 2025. This buildup includes the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, along with numerous other warships, marking one of the largest naval deployments in the region in decades. The stated objective of these operations, dubbed “Operation Southern Spear” by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is to disrupt narcotics trafficking and dismantle transnational criminal organizations deemed a threat to U.S. national security.
Concurrently, U.S. forces have carried out a series of airstrikes against alleged drug trafficking vessels. Reports indicate that at least 19 to 21 such strikes have occurred, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 70 to 83 individuals. The Trump administration has justified these actions by designating drug cartels as “narcoterrorists” and “unlawful combatants,” suggesting the U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” and invoking self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. President Trump has personally overseen and approved these operations, warning those involved that “if you keep trafficking deadly drugs – we will kill you.”
International Law and Human Rights Concerns Mount
Despite U.S. justifications, the strikes have drawn widespread criticism for their potential violation of international law and human rights. Independent UN experts and numerous legal scholars have argued that the operations may constitute extrajudicial killings, as lethal force is reportedly used without prior warning, arrests, or public evidence presented to substantiate claims that the targeted vessels posed an imminent threat.
“Dropping bombs on people when you do not know who they are is a breach of law,” stated a group of independent UN experts, who also noted that even if allegations were substantiated, the use of lethal force without a proper legal basis in international waters violates the law of the sea and amounts to extrajudicial executions.
The U.S. has not publicly provided evidence to prove the targeted vessels were involved in narcotics smuggling or posed a direct threat to the United States, leading to accusations of legally indefensible actions and a disregard for due process.
Geopolitical Ramifications and Regional Tensions
The escalating U.S. military activity has heightened tensions, particularly with Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro has accused the U.S. of using anti-drug operations as a pretext for regime change and to seize control of the country’s oil resources. In response to the U.S. naval buildup, Venezuela has initiated large-scale military exercises and condemnations, warning of potential conflict.
Beyond France and Venezuela, other nations have also expressed reservations or taken action. Reports indicate that the United Kingdom has suspended intelligence sharing with the U.S. over concerns about the strikes’ legality, a claim U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has labeled a “false story.” Colombia has halted intelligence sharing with its U.S. counterparts, with President Gustavo Petro stating that the fight against drugs must be “subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people.”
A Complex News Landscape
The ongoing situation presents a complex news narrative, pitting U.S. national security claims against international legal norms and human rights principles. The involvement of the Caribbean region as a focal point for both drug trafficking routes and geopolitical maneuvering underscores the delicate balance between security objectives and adherence to established international law. The differing perspectives from key global players like France and the evident concerns of neighboring nations suggest that the controversy surrounding these U.S. strikes is far from over, with profound implications for regional stability and the future of maritime law enforcement. The diverse culture of the Caribbean nations also stands at a nexus of these international legal and security debates, where local populations and their way of life are directly impacted by escalating military actions.