Britain Suspends Intelligence Sharing with the US over Trump's Drug Boat Strikes in the Caribbean

‎Britain has suspended intelligence sharing with the United States regarding drug trafficking operations in the Caribbean. The decision represents a significant diplomatic shift and follows concerns over Donald Trump’s authorization of airstrikes on suspected drug vessels in Latin America.

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Britain halts intelligence sharing with the US due to concerns over Trump’s lethal drug boat strikes in the Caribbean and Latin America.

‎Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP

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‎The Labour Government reportedly paused intelligence briefings in September, shortly after the United States began conducting lethal strikes against vessels believed to transport drugs from Latin America to the US mainland. UK officials reportedly feared that shared intelligence could be used to identify targets for strikes that might contravene international law.

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‎Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, is believed to have been involved in the decision. Earlier this year, he reportedly raised legal questions regarding the UK’s potential involvement in Israel’s bombing campaign against Iran and played a role in negotiations concerning the return of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

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‎The United Kingdom has long cooperated with the US Coast Guard in flagging vessels suspected of carrying illegal drugs. Trump’s recent strikes, which have reportedly resulted in at least 75 fatalities, have prompted concern among allies.

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‎Trump defended the strikes, describing the United States as being in “armed conflict” with international drug cartels and asserting that the targeted vessels are operated by foreign terrorist organizations supplying drugs to American cities. The administration has not released evidence to support these claims and faces pressure from US lawmakers to clarify the legal justification for the strikes.

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‎Intelligence relevant to these operations has typically been transmitted to the Joint Interagency Task Force South, based in Florida, which coordinates with partner nations to combat drug trafficking.

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‎Vice Admiral Bob Cooling, former Assistant Chief of Naval Staff in the Royal Navy, highlighted the importance of the intelligence partnership between the UK and the US, noting that it remains one of the most comprehensive and transparent global alliances. General Sir Peter Wall, former Chief of Defence Staff, suggested the decision reflects the UK Government’s focus on human rights considerations alongside strategic interests.

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‎British officials reportedly share the concerns of UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk, who described the strikes as “extrajudicial killings.” Canada has also limited its cooperation, confirming participation in Operation Caribbean while declining to allow its intelligence to guide US targeting decisions.

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‎US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the latest strikes in the eastern Pacific resulted in the destruction of two vessels allegedly carrying narcotics, with six fatalities reported. The campaign, which began in September, initially focused on the Caribbean Sea but has expanded to Pacific routes commonly used for cocaine trafficking.

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‎The US administration has deployed significant naval assets to South American waters, including an aircraft carrier, as part of its anti-narcotics campaign. Observers suggest the operations are also intended to exert pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

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‎A UK Government spokesperson reiterated that the country does not comment on intelligence matters but emphasized the strength of its security and intelligence alliance with the United States. The spokesperson stated that both nations continue to collaborate to uphold global security, defend freedom of navigation, and respond to emerging threats.