United Nations human rights experts have issued a stern rebuke following a US military strike on a vessel in international waters, which they claim violated the international right to life. The controversial incident involved a US attack on what was described as a "narco-terrorist" operated vessel, leading to the death of three individuals.

The strike, conducted by US forces, targeted two civilian boats suspected of narcotics trafficking. However, the UN panel criticized the action, noting it was executed without convincing evidence that lethal force was necessary or that alternatives had been considered. This, they suggest, might constitute an extrajudicial killing under international human rights law.

In a statement released Tuesday, the experts highlighted that the operation followed a classified directive signed by US President Donald Trump in August 2025. This order authorized military actions in foreign territories or international waters against groups designated as terrorist organizations by Washington, specifically targeting Latin American drug cartels.

According to international law, the experts emphasized, "the use of potentially lethal force is only permitted in personal self-defense or defense of others against an imminent threat to life." They pointed out that there was no immediate armed threat that could justify the strike as an act of national self-defense. Moreover, they underlined that the law of the sea advocates for a law-enforcement approach rather than a military one, urging the US to undertake a comprehensive and independent investigation into the incident.

President Trump defended the strike on social media, stating that the action was a "SECOND Kinetic Strike against positively identified, extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists" in international waters. He argued that the strike was a necessary measure against threats to American lives posed by drug trafficking.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also supported the strike, posting on X that the targeted vessel was operated by a known narco-terrorist organization and hinted at the possibility of similar future actions. His post implied a continuing strategy of using direct military action against drug cartels classified as terrorist threats.

This incident has stirred significant international debate over the boundaries of national security measures and the adherence to international legal norms, particularly concerning the use of military force in international waters. The UN's call for an investigation reflects broader concerns about escalating military responses to drug trafficking and the implications for global maritime law and the protection of human rights.