The United Nations has issued a joint statement expressing strong condemnation of recent United States military operations targeting individuals identified as members of the Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal organization. UN rapporteurs emphasized that international law strictly prohibits targeted assassinations of suspected drug traffickers, asserting that such activities must be addressed through thorough investigation and prosecution via established legal channels.
The experts highlighted that these U.S. actions contravene international maritime law, which prohibits unprovoked attacks on vessels and mandates a policing approach over a military one for interceptions. They noted that this legal framework requires specific criteria to be met before any vessel can be lawfully intercepted. Furthermore, the rapporteurs pointed to a significant lack of evidence supporting claims that Tren de Aragua is orchestrating an "invasion" of the United States at the behest of the Venezuelan government. This assertion was reportedly used by U.S. authorities to justify strikes that resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals on September 2 and an additional three on September 15.
The statement was signed by Ben Saul, the special rapporteur on the protection of human rights in the fight against terrorism; Morris Tidball-Binz, the special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions; and George Katrougalos, the special rapporteur on the right to a remedy and reparations for victims of gross violations of international human rights law and fundamental freedoms. They underscored that international law does not permit the unilateral use of force abroad to combat terrorism or drug trafficking, as such actions would violate national sovereignty and could constitute an illegal use of force under the UN Charter.
The UN experts stressed that all countries must uphold the right to life, even when operating on the high seas or in foreign territories. The use of lethal force is permissible only in instances of self-defense or defense of others against an imminent threat to life. They also pointed out that drug trafficking itself is not a capital offense under U.S. law, despite claims by the U.S. government of having irrefutable evidence against those targeted.
The Tren de Aragua, originating from Venezuela's Aragua region, has expanded its operations across Latin America and into the United States, fueled by Venezuelan migration. The group is involved in a range of criminal enterprises, and its presence has become a growing concern for international law enforcement. The UN's intervention serves as a critical reminder of the established legal boundaries governing state actions in international waters and the imperative to adhere to due process and the rule of law in addressing transnational crime.