US Secretary of State Responds to EU Criticism on Military Strikes

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has rebuffed criticism from European Union officials regarding the legality of military actions against illegal drug traffickers operating in international waters of the Caribbean. He emphasized the need for the US to safeguard its citizens from narco-terrorists.

During a press conference on Tuesday evening, held amidst the Group of Seven foreign ministers’ meeting in Niagara, Canada, Rubio asserted that the EU does not have the authority to dictate international law or determine how the US should ensure its national security.

Kaja Kalas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, stated that US military strikes on drug-laden vessels would only be defensible either in self-defense or through a United Nations Security Council resolution.

Rubio responded, saying, “The United States is under attack from organized crime and narco-terrorists throughout the hemisphere, and the President is acting to protect our country.”

He further remarked, “It’s curious that while these countries urge us to supply nuclear-capable Tomahawk missiles for their protection, there seems to be a problem with the US deploying aircraft carriers in our own hemisphere.” He reiterated that President Donald Trump is focused on protecting the United States through these operations.

Additionally, Rubio dismissed a recent CNN report suggesting that Britain had halted intelligence-sharing with the US due to the military strikes. He labeled the CNN story as “false,” despite the British government not confirming or denying the allegations.

Since September, the US military has conducted a series of precision strikes targeting drug-laden ships in the Caribbean. This is part of an ongoing effort by President Trump to combat the influx of drugs entering the United States.

Preliminary data from the CDC indicates that approximately 73,690 deaths from drug overdose were reported in the year ending April 2025.

Rubio reiterated, “This is a counter-narcotics operation, initiated by the president to protect our country. If we stop the drug shipments, then these operations could cease.” He labeled the Maduro regime in Venezuela as a narco-terrorist organization, noting that the regime has been indicted in a US court on multiple drug-terrorism charges.

He added, “They facilitate the transport of pharmaceutical products and are collaborating in shipping drugs to the US and Europe—perhaps they should be thanking us.” Ultimately, he concluded that the president’s priority is to secure America’s national interests, which are evidently under threat from these terrorist groups.