The United Kingdom has reportedly suspended specific intelligence-sharing activities with the United States regarding suspected drug trafficking boats operating in the Caribbean. This decision follows the US's execution of 14 military strikes since September against vessels near the Venezuelan coast, resulting in over 70 fatalities.

The UK government did not deny reports from CNN indicating that it is withholding intelligence to avoid complicity in military actions that may violate international law. Historically, the UK has assisted the US in identifying vessels suspected of narcotics smuggling in the Caribbean, which has facilitated US Coast Guard operations to locate and seize drugs and detain crew members. However, UK officials have raised concerns about the legality of US actions under international law, aligning with the assessment of UN human rights chief Volker Turk, who characterized the strikes as extrajudicial killings.

The pause in intelligence-sharing reportedly began over a month ago and may create tension during an upcoming meeting between UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the G7 foreign ministerial summit in Canada. A spokesperson for Downing Street stated that while the US is a close partner in defense and intelligence, they would not comment on specific intelligence matters. The spokesperson emphasized that determinations regarding the legality of actions should be made by competent international courts rather than governments.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has been leading the campaign of strikes, stated that the recent operations targeted vessels associated with designated terrorist organizations involved in narcotics smuggling. He claimed that these strikes were conducted in international waters and resulted in the deaths of six individuals identified as narco-terrorists, with no US forces harmed.

The United Nations human rights chief has condemned the US strikes as "unacceptable" and a violation of international human rights law, while Venezuela has labeled them as illegal acts of aggression against its sovereignty.