Canada’s Department of National Defence has affirmed its commitment to maintaining the ongoing joint operation with the U.S. Coast Guard aimed at intercepting drug smugglers in the Caribbean, despite recent deadly U.S. airstrikes in the region. Operation Caribbe, in effect since 2006, involves the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force collaborating with the U.S. Coast Guard to identify and halt suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean, with any apprehended individuals facing prosecution in the U.S.
In contrast to the approach taken by the U.S. Air Force, which conducted airstrikes on four suspected drug vessels resulting in 21 fatalities, Canadian officials have clarified that these actions are unrelated to Canadian military or intelligence presence in the area. The Department of National Defence spokesperson, Cheryl Forrest, emphasized the distinction, stating that the Canadian Armed Forces’ activities under Operation Caribbe, conducted in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard, are separate from the mentioned U.S. military branch operations.
Operation Caribbe represents Canada’s contribution to the broader multinational effort known as Campaign Martillo, involving 14 nations spanning the Americas to Europe. Tim Addison, the director of naval affairs for the Naval Association of Canada (NAC), expressed understanding of the department’s clarification but raised concerns regarding the airstrikes’ legality and implications for Canada’s continued involvement in Operation Caribbe.
Scholars and organizations such as Human Rights Watch have questioned the legality of the strikes, labeling them as extrajudicial killings. Addison emphasized the need for the Canadian government to seek clarity from the United States regarding the rationale and intelligence behind the strikes, urging a decision on the future of Canada’s participation in the operation.
The strikes have introduced a complex situation for Canada, particularly amid trade negotiations with the U.S. Addison highlighted the challenging position faced by the Royal Canadian Navy in the Caribbean due to these developments. Defense studies professor Eric Ouellet from Canadian Forces College and the Royal Military College of Canada acknowledged the predicament Canada finds itself in but suggested that strategic navigation could allow for continued Caribbean deployments without compromising principles.
Ouellet advocated for Canada to maintain distance from Venezuela to mitigate concerns about potential intelligence sharing leading to unlawful operations. He stressed that Canadian assets are adept at addressing various challenges in the region beyond the Venezuelan context. Despite the complexities, Ouellet believed that ceasing Operation Caribbe prematurely would be a loss for both Canada and the U.S., emphasizing the importance of finding alternative approaches to manage the situation effectively.
The U.S. government, including figures like President Trump and Secretaries Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, defended the airstrikes as targeted actions against designated terrorist organizations involved in drug trafficking, particularly citing groups like the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela have been fueled by accusations of drug proliferation, with the recent strikes as a manifestation of this conflict.
Operation Caribbe, overseen by U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mark Fedor, primarily targets low-level cartel members involved in drug trafficking, aiming to secure prosecutions and gather intelligence on criminal networks. The operation has successfully seized 123 metric tonnes of cocaine since its inception in 2006.