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The United Kingdom has suspended sharing certain intelligence with the United States, a move prompted by concerns over the legality of lethal US military strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. The decision, which sources say has been in effect for over a month, marks a significant divergence in policy between the two close allies, both members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance.
The pause specifically affects intelligence related to counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. For years, the UK has provided information to help the US Coast Guard interdict vessels involved in drug smuggling. However, British officials now fear being complicit in actions they believe violate international law. Several reports indicate that the UK government views the US policy of using lethal force in these scenarios as a form of extrajudicial killing and a breach of international norms.
The shift in US tactics is part of the Trump administration's aggressive campaign against drug cartels, which it has designated as terrorist organizations. This policy has blurred the lines between law enforcement and military action, authorizing lethal strikes against vessels suspected of carrying narcotics. According to some reports, these strikes have resulted in the deaths of over 70 people. This aggressive US counter-narcotics strategy has drawn criticism from international observers and now from one of its key partners.
This development represents a notable fracture in the otherwise robust intelligence cooperation between London and Washington. The UK has numerous overseas territories in the Caribbean, giving it a strong intelligence-gathering presence and a direct interest in regional stability. The unprecedented decision to halt intelligence sharing underscores the depth of the disagreement over the legal and ethical boundaries of the war on drugs. While officials from both nations have not commented publicly on the specifics, the move signals a serious challenge to a cornerstone of the transatlantic security partnership.
