1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the recent US military strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, allegedly targeting drug trafficking operations. These actions, ordered by President Trump, have resulted in over 60 deaths since early September and constitute a grave violation of international law. UN human rights chief Volker Türk has rightly condemned these attacks as extrajudicial killings. The intentional use of lethal force is only permissible as a last resort against imminent threats to life, which does not appear to be the case in these situations. Drug trafficking, while a serious issue, should be addressed through proper law enforcement channels, not military action in international waters. The deployment of significant military resources, including the USS Gerald R Ford, to conduct these strikes is an alarming escalation. It has not only cost innocent lives but has also strained our relationships with regional partners. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed disagreement with these attacks, and tensions have increased with Colombia and Venezuela. President Trump's claim of legal authority for these actions is unfounded. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth's justification that these vessels are operated by designated terrorist organizations does not hold up under international law. We cannot allow the erosion of legal norms and human rights in the name of combating drug trafficking. I urge you to take immediate action to halt these illegal military strikes. Call for a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation into these incidents. Support diplomatic efforts to address drug trafficking through international cooperation and law enforcement, rather than unilateral military action. The lives lost and the damage to our international standing demand nothing less than your full attention and decisive action to stop these extrajudicial killings.