UK halts intel-sharing with US after deadly strikes in Caribbean

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.