The UK has halted certain intelligence sharing with the US over military strikes targeting vessels near Venezuela.
Since September, the US has carried out 14 strikes on ships near the Venezuelan coast. Over 70 people have died, according to reports.
Downing Street has not denied that the UK paused intelligence sharing to avoid complicity in strikes it considers potentially illegal.
Britain maintains intelligence operations across Caribbean territories and has assisted the US in tracking suspected drug-smuggling vessels.
UK agencies provided information that helped the US Coast Guard seize narcotics and detain crews. Officials now fear the US strikes could violate international law.
The pause in intelligence sharing began more than a month ago, after UK officials reviewed the situation. They agree with the UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, who called the strikes extrajudicial killings.
The pause comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and US counterpart Marco Rubio at the G7 foreign ministerial summit in Canada.
A Number 10 spokesperson declined to comment on the intelligence halt, citing the sensitivity of security matters. They noted that international courts, not governments, should determine whether actions break international law.
A Pentagon official similarly declined to comment, saying the department does not discuss intelligence issues.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the strikes targeted two vessels associated with narcotics smuggling organizations. He said the ships carried narcotics along known trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific.
Hegseth added that all six individuals aboard the vessels died in international waters, and no US personnel suffered harm.
The UN human rights chief criticized the strikes, calling them unacceptable and in violation of international law.
The intelligence sharing pause highlights growing concern in London about US operations in the Caribbean. UK officials continue monitoring the situation closely and assessing legal and diplomatic implications.
Observers note that intelligence sharing has long been a pillar of US-UK cooperation in combating drug trafficking. However, these recent strikes have strained that partnership.
Officials in London insist they remain committed to tackling narcotics smuggling but insist operations must follow international law and respect human rights.
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