The UK government has reportedly halted intelligence sharing with the US following strikes on suspected drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean. This decision marks a significant departure from the long-standing partnership between the UK and the US. The move is believed to have stemmed from growing concerns about the legality of deadly US strikes off the Latin American coast.
The UK, which oversees several islands in the Caribbean, previously collaborated with the US Coast Guard to track down drug traffickers attempting to transport illicit substances to North America. Prior to the recent developments, the US provided intelligence to the UK that led to the apprehension of illegal drug smugglers and traffickers.
However, the situation changed when US President Donald Trump authorized lethal strikes on multiple vessels off the coast of Venezuela. According to a CNN report, British intelligence estimates that these strikes have resulted in the deaths of 76 individuals and have breached international laws.
A source revealed that the UK suspended intelligence sharing over a month ago after the initial strikes in September. The Trump administration has justified the actions by claiming the targeted boats were carrying fentanyl, a substance linked to the opioid crisis in the US. They argue that those aboard are considered “enemy combatants” engaged in an “armed conflict” with the US.
The controversy surrounding the strikes has led to tense standoffs, including reports of US Southern Command Admiral Alvin Holsey offering to resign during discussions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Admiral Holsey is expected to step down from his position in December, just a year into his tenure.
Recent statistics show that by mid-2025, US Customs and Border Protection had seized over 4,182kg of fentanyl, with the majority intercepted at the southern border with Mexico. Opioid-related deaths in the US have been staggering, with 72,776 fatalities recorded in 2023, predominantly due to fentanyl overdoses.
The Mirror has reached out to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for comment on the matter.
