Canada says it is closely tracking a series of lethal U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean while maintaining its long-running anti-trafficking mission, Operation Caribbe. Officials stress that Canada plays no role in the U.S. Air Force actions that have killed at least 87 people since September.
In a written statement, Department of National Defence spokesperson Nick Drescher Brown underscored that the Canadian Armed Forces operate alongside the U.S. Coast Guard — not the military branch responsible for the strikes — and that the American operations are “unilateral.” While no changes are planned, federal officials say they continue to assess operations to ensure alignment with legal and strategic obligations.
The escalation in U.S. tactics marks a decisive shift from interdiction and prosecution toward targeted lethal action, putting partners in a difficult position. Rob Huebert of the University of Calgary’s Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies argues that allies now face an untenable balance between upholding legal norms and maintaining security cooperation with Washington.
Several countries have already acted. The United Kingdom has suspended intelligence-sharing in the region, Colombia has followed suit, and France publicly criticized the strikes at G7 meetings. Ottawa, by comparison, has remained publicly restrained.
Huebert notes that Canada’s attempt to distinguish its collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard rather than the Air Force offers limited insulation, given that both fall under the same U.S. defence umbrella. Recent reporting revealed that U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth approved — or at minimum supported — a second strike on a vessel off Venezuela aimed at eliminating survivors, a move now facing questions from lawmakers over its legality.
The situation leaves Canada with few good options. Withdrawing from Operation Caribbe would likely strain relations with Washington and undermine drug interdiction efforts that have seized more than 123 tonnes of cocaine since 2006. Remaining, however, risks association with controversial U.S. actions and complicates Canada’s position as a defender of international law.
Asked to respond to concerns about legality, the White House defended the strikes as targeting “designated narcoterrorists,” adding that President Donald Trump will continue to use all tools to prevent drug flows.
Huebert argues that Defence Minister David McGuinty’s best course is to maintain the mission while making clear that Canada cannot participate in operations that fall outside international law. Beyond that, he said, Ottawa must hope Canadian forces are not drawn into actions they cannot legally support.
