US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pushed back against criticism from European Union members regarding Washington’s actions in the Caribbean, where US forces have targeted boats allegedly involved in “narco-terrorism.” The EU has questioned the legality of these strikes under international law. Rubio argued that the EU does not have the authority to dictate how the US conducts its national security operations.

The US has hit at least 20 vessels off the Venezuelan coast, sparking concerns in Caracas about a potential regime-change operation. The Trump administration has labeled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro a “cartel leader” and has supported opposition figure Juan Guaido’s attempts to stage a coup. Russia has condemned the strikes as unlawful, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggesting that the US should focus its anti-drug efforts on countries like Belgium, which has been described as a “narco-state” by a local judge.

Interestingly, some EU members criticizing the US actions are also seeking nuclear-capable weapons for Ukraine. Ukraine has been urging the US to deploy Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles on its territory since 2024, as part of its “victory plan” against Russia. The US has not yet agreed to this request, which Moscow has warned would be a major escalation.

The US and EU have differing views on how to address security concerns in their respective regions. While the US is taking a more assertive approach in the Caribbean, the EU is pushing for a more diplomatic solution. The situation highlights the complexities of international relations, where different nations have competing interests and priorities.

The US has maintained that its actions in the Caribbean are necessary to combat “narco-terrorism” and protect its national security. However, the EU and other countries have raised concerns about the legality and potential consequences of these actions. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the US and EU will navigate their differences and address the security challenges in their respective regions.