IACHR urges the United States to ensure respect for human rights in extraterritorial security operations

December 2, 2025

Washington, DC—The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its deep concern regarding reports of lethal operations against non-state vessels (or boats) conducted by the United States in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean since early September 2025, which have allegedly resulted in the deaths of a high number of persons. The Commission urges the State to ensure that all security operations, including those carried out beyond its borders, are consistent with international human rights obligations, particularly regarding the protection of the right to life, the use of force, due process guarantees, and accountability mechanisms.

According to publicly available and official information, since early September 2025 approximately fifteen air and naval operations have reportedly been conducted by United States forces against boats which US authorities allege are linked to transnational criminal organizations, resulting in more than 80 people killed and three survivors.

The first of these actions, announced on September 2, reportedly involved the destruction of a boat off Venezuelan waters, resulting in the death of eleven persons. On September 15, another operation was announced, with reports indicating three deaths, followed by a further strike on September 19 in the Caribbean, also leaving three people dead. Subsequent incidents were reported in early October, including one around October 3, which allegedly caused four deaths, and another between October 16 and 17 involving a low-profile vessel in the Caribbean, resulting in two deaths and two survivors later transferred to United States custody. Two strikes took place in the Eastern Pacific on October 22 with a total of five deaths.

One of the deadliest incidents occurred on October 27 in the Eastern Pacific, when the destruction of four boats reportedly caused fourteen deaths and one survivor who was later rescued by Mexican authorities. Additional information suggests that another strike took place on October 29, resulting in four deaths.

The strikes continued in November. On November 1 a strike in the Caribbean reportedly killed three individuals. A further operation on November 4 in the Eastern Pacific reportedly resulted in two deaths, and two then separate strikes on 9 November in the Pacific reportedly killed six persons. By November 10, U.S. forces announced strikes on two additional vessels in the eastern Pacific, resulting in six deaths and raising publicly reported total fatalities to more than 83 persons.

While acknowledging the seriousness of organized crime and its impact on the enjoyment of human rights, the Commission recalls that States are obliged to respect and ensure the right to life of all persons under their jurisdiction. According to the Inter-American jurisprudence, this duty extends to situations when State agents exercise authority or effective control, including extraterritorial actions at sea. When lethal force is used by security or military personnel outside national territory, States have the obligation to demonstrate that such actions were strictly lawful, necessary, and proportionate, and to investigate, ex officio, any resulting loss of life. These obligations persist irrespective of where the operations occur, or the status attributed to the individuals affected. Likewise, persons under State control must always enjoy full respect for due process and humane treatment.

The IACHR reiterates that, under the standards of the Inter-American Human Rights System, the use of military force for public security purposes should be exceptional, strictly regulated, and limited to circumstances where civilian authorities are unable to respond effectively. The deployment of armed forces in operations against alleged criminal groups, particularly outside the territory, carries a high risk of arbitrary deprivation of life, lack of accountability, violations of due process, and erosion of civilian oversight.

In light of the above, the Commission calls upon the United States to: refrain from employing lethal military force in the context of public security operations, ensuring that any counter-crime or security operation fully complies with international human rights standards; conduct prompt, impartial, and independent investigations into all deaths and detentions resulting from these actions; and adopt effective measures to prevent recurrence.

The IACHR will continue to closely monitor the situation and reiterates its willingness to maintain continued dialogue and technical cooperation with the United States to support the protection of human rights in all security and defense policies.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate derives from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission is mandated to promote the observance of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is composed of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 248/25

2:55 PM