U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a forceful defense of President Donald Trump’s targeted military strikes against suspected narco-terrorist vessels Wednesday, sharply dismissing the European Union’s claims that these actions violate international law.
In remarks to the press during a G7 meeting, Rubio stated “I find it interesting all these countries want us to send nuclear-capable Tomahawk missiles to defend Europe. But when the United States positions aircraft carriers in our hemisphere, where we live, somehow that’s a problem.”
Rubio further emphasized America’s sovereign right to protect its citizens, noting “I don’t think that the European Union gets to determine what international law is. They certainly don’t get to determine how the United States defends its national security.”
? HOLY CRAP! Sec. Marco Rubio DROPS THE MIC on the EU accusing President Trump of violating "international law" by striking narco-terrorists
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 12, 2025
"I find it INTERESTING all these countries want us to send nuclear-capable Tomahawk missiles to defend Europe. But when the United States… pic.twitter.com/8LjFCeDc15
Framing the strikes as essential countermeasures, he stated, “The United States is under attack from organized, criminal narco-terrorists in our hemisphere—and the president is responding in the defense of our country.”
Rubio reiterated Trump’s unwavering commitment, urging “The United States and this president has made very clear his job is to protect the United States from threats against the United States…and that is what he’s doing in this operation.”
The European Union has repeatedly condemned the Trump administration’s proactive strikes, which commenced in September 2025 and focus on vessels tied to Venezuelan drug trafficking networks.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has urged compliance with what she calls international norms, despite reports confirming over 70 cartel-linked fatalities in these precision operations.
A French minister described the actions as a “disregard for international law,” while the UN human rights chief has deemed them “unacceptable,” overlooking the grave threats posed by these narco groups in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
Even a former ICC prosecutor has suggested the operations could be “crimes against humanity,” a claim that ignores the administration’s careful legal framework for combating these deadly cartels.
Citing concerns over potential legal implications, the United Kingdom has suspended select intelligence sharing with the U.S. on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean—a move that could hinder joint efforts against mutual enemies.
British officials fear complicity in what they view as questionable operations under international law, despite the strikes’ proven effectiveness in disrupting cartel activities that have claimed dozens of lives.
This rare allied rift underscores the challenges of international cooperation, with the UK withholding critical data to sidestep involvement in actions that the Trump team insists are necessary for hemispheric security.
President Trump has consistently portrayed drug cartels as an existential national security threat, launching a dedicated task force in September 2025 to dismantle them.
On Truth Social, he shared compelling footage of strikes targeting boats operated by “narco-terrorists” connected to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and brutal gangs like Tren de Aragua.
Trump has declared the U.S. engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with these foes, designating crew members as “unlawful combatants” to justify robust defensive measures.
In an October post, he detailed a successful strike that eliminated six threats, vowing to persist in protecting American lives. Trump has aptly compared the cartels’ devastation to that of terrorist organizations, noting they have “killed more Americans than some terrorist organizations”—a stark reminder of the urgency driving his administration’s bold strategy.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has staunchly backed the strikes, declaring on social media that they will continue “until the poisoning of Americans stops.” He has labeled cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations” equivalent to Al-Qaeda and pledged to “hunt and kill” them, sharing videos of operations that neutralized suspects.
In late October, Hegseth announced Pacific strikes that eliminated 14 cartel operatives, reinforcing the administration’s resolve.
A classified Justice Department memo provides solid legal backing for immunity of U.S. troops, while Senator Lindsey Graham has affirmed Trump’s full authority in these matters.
Overall, the administration maintains these operations as rightful defenses against entities inflicting mass harm on Americans, prioritizing national safety over unwarranted foreign critiques.
This campaign exemplifies the Trump administration’s commitment to decisive action against border threats, fostering stronger U.S. security despite international pushback.
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