The UK has halted sharing intelligence with the United States on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean following concerns over America’s strikes.
The US has reportedly carried out 14 strikes since
September, on boats near the Venezuelan coast, with the death toll surpassing
70.
Sources told CNN that the UK decided to halt intelligence on
the boats because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and
believes the attacks are illegal.
For years, the UK, which controls a number of territories in
the Caribbean where it bases intelligence assets, has helped the US locate
vessels suspected of carrying drugs so that the US Coast Guard could interdict
them, the sources said.
That meant the ships would be stopped, its crew detained,
and drugs seized.
But the recent deadly attacks have raised concern in the UK.
This pause began over a month ago, following the US’ shift from law enforcement
interdiction to lethal military action against vessels, CNN reported on
Wednesday.
Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, reportedly assessed the strikes as amounting to extra-judicial killing.
Britain’s decision to sever its intelligence sharing with
the US marks a significant and unusual rift between both countries.
Both nations are also founding members of the Five Eyes
intelligence alliance, which also includes Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The alliance shares intelligence and collaborates closely on
national security, counter-terrorism, and cyber threats.
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State; and Yvette Cooper,
British Foreign Secretary, are expected at the G7 foreign ministerial summit in
Canada today.
The development provides an awkward backdrop for both
parties ahead of the meeting.
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