The UK government has reportedly halted the sharing of intelligence with the US in response to strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. This decision marks a significant divergence from the longstanding practice of collaboration between the UK and the US. The move is said to stem from growing concerns about the legality of lethal US operations near Latin American shores.
Previously, the UK, which maintains control over several Caribbean islands, had been assisting the US Coast Guard in locating and intercepting drug smugglers attempting to transport illicit substances to North America. Suspicious vessels were typically boarded, drugs confiscated, and crews detained as part of joint efforts.
However, the situation shifted when US President Donald Trump authorized lethal strikes on multiple vessels near Venezuela. British intelligence, as reported by CNN, estimates that these strikes have resulted in the deaths of 76 individuals and have breached international laws.
A source revealed that the UK suspended intelligence sharing over a month ago following the initial strikes in September. The Trump administration alleges that the targeted boats were carrying fentanyl, a drug linked to the US opioid crisis, justifying the actions as part of combating a perceived threat.
The Trump administration’s stance considers those onboard the vessels as “enemy combatants” engaged in an “armed conflict” against the US. Questions have arisen regarding the circumstances of the strikes, particularly concerning whether the casualties included suspected drug traffickers.
Tensions surrounding the strikes have led to confrontations, including US Southern Command Admiral Alvin Holsey offering to resign during discussions with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. It was reported by CNN that Admiral Holsey is set to step down from his position in December, barely a year since assuming the role.
By mid-2025, US Customs and Border Protection had seized over 4,182kg of fentanyl, with a significant portion intercepted along the southern border with Mexico. Opioid-related fatalities have been alarmingly high in the US, with a staggering 72,776 deaths recorded in 2023, predominantly due to fentanyl overdoses.
The Mirror has reached out to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for official comments on the matter.