Content: At the G7 summit in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean, stating they violate international law. This marks one of the strongest criticisms from a G7 ally regarding the U.S. actions. Since early September, the U.S. military has conducted at least 19 strikes against suspected drug vessels, resulting in the deaths of at least 76 individuals.

Barrot expressed concern over the military operations, emphasizing France's presence in the region through its overseas territories, where over a million French citizens reside. "We have observed with concern the military operations in the Caribbean region, because they violate international law and because France has a presence in this region," Barrot said. He added that any escalation could affect the stability of the area, which France aims to avoid.

The U.S. has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of being a narco-terrorist, claiming connections between his government and drug cartels. President Donald Trump has authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela as part of the U.S. strategy against drug trafficking. Colombian President Gustavo Petro also reacted to the situation, announcing on social media that he had instructed his security agencies to halt intelligence sharing with the U.S. until the strikes cease. "The fight against drugs must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people," Petro stated.

Barrot's remarks coincided with a CNN report suggesting that Great Britain had suspended intelligence support to the U.S. from its Caribbean assets due to concerns about being linked to the strikes. Earlier this fall, Petro accused U.S. officials of murder, alleging that a victim of a mid-September strike was an innocent fisherman.

The U.S. has justified its military actions by declaring a "non-international armed conflict" under the War Powers Act, categorizing those on the drug-carrying boats as enemy combatants. The administration cites the rising number of drug-related deaths in the U.S. as a rationale for its operations. However, experts note that Venezuela primarily serves as a transshipment point for cocaine from neighboring countries like Colombia and Bolivia.

While some Venezuelan politicians have supported the U.S. stance, international backing remains limited. A spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights criticized the strikes, stating that lethal force should only be used as a last resort against imminent threats to life.

Canada has not publicly commented on the U.S. strikes, despite hosting the G7 meeting. A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada acknowledged awareness of the U.S. military actions but stated that Canada is not involved in these operations. The Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force have been engaged in separate drug interdiction efforts in the Caribbean since 2006.

Criticism of the U.S. strikes has also emerged from within the U.S. California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his disapproval, questioning the legality of the actions. "What happened to due process? What happened to the rule of law?" he asked during a climate summit in Brazil.

The U.S. has a history of using military force to combat drug trafficking, with past operations yielding mixed results. The current situation in Venezuela, however, presents unique challenges due to its larger size and military capabilities compared to previous targets like Panama. As tensions rise, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, including deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and several warships.