Canada’s Department of National Defence has confirmed its commitment to the ongoing Operation Caribbe with the U.S. Coast Guard in the Caribbean to combat drug smuggling. Dating back to 2006, Operation Caribbe involves the collaboration of the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force with the U.S. Coast Guard to intercept suspected drug vessels and transfer detainees for legal proceedings in the U.S.
In contrast, recent actions by the U.S. Air Force, which involved bombing four suspected drug boats resulting in 21 fatalities, have raised concerns. Canadian authorities have clarified that these incidents are unrelated to the activities of Canadian military and intelligence personnel in the region.
Operation Caribbe is part of the multinational Campaign Martillo, engaging 14 countries across the Americas and Europe. Tim Addison, director of naval affairs for the Naval Association of Canada (NAC), expressed reservations about the recent strikes and stressed the importance of upholding legal standards in military operations.
Scholars and Human Rights Watch have questioned the legality and ethical implications of the airstrikes, prompting calls for transparency and accountability from the U.S. government. The strategic importance of Canada’s involvement in Operation Caribbe amid evolving circumstances with the U.S. has come under scrutiny.
Eric Ouellet, a defense studies professor, highlighted the complexities of Canada’s position in the Caribbean and emphasized the need to avoid entanglement in questionable operations near Venezuela. He suggested focusing on combating drug smuggling activities while maintaining a cautious approach to intelligence sharing.
The U.S. has defended its actions as targeted strikes against alleged terrorist organizations involved in drug trafficking, attributing the escalation to Venezuela’s role in the illicit drug trade. Operation Caribbe has successfully intercepted significant quantities of cocaine since its inception, underscoring the ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal networks in the region.