France Condemns U.S. Military Strikes in the Caribbean as Breach of International Law

France has voiced strong concern over recent U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, labeling them a violation of international law. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot expressed the government’s unease during the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers’ summit in Canada, citing both legal and security risks to French citizens living in the region.

According to reports, the United States military has conducted at least 19 air and naval strikes targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels across the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts of Latin America. These operations have resulted in at least 76 fatalities. Barrot stated that France, which maintains territories in the Caribbean and is home to over a million French nationals, is deeply worried about the destabilizing potential of such military actions.

“We have observed with concern the military operations in the Caribbean region, because they violate international law,” Barrot said. “France has a presence in this region through its overseas territories, where more than a million of our compatriots reside. They could therefore be affected by the instability caused by any escalation, which we obviously want to avoid.”

U.S. officials confirmed that the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, has been deployed to the Caribbean, alongside eight warships, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 fighter jets. The buildup has fueled speculation about Washington’s strategic motives in the region.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the United States of orchestrating the military buildup to pressure or even oust him from power. While Washington insists its operations are focused on combating transnational crime and drug trafficking, the growing tensions have sparked fears of a wider regional confrontation.