may have violated international human rights and maritime law, according to several legal experts cited by BBC Verify. President Trump announced that U.S. forces destroyed a vessel that departed from Venezuela, operated by the Tren de Aragua cartel, and carrying drugs bound for the U.S. Defense officials have not provided details on the strike or the legal authority used. Legal experts questioned whether the U.S. acted legally under international law. The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is not ratified by the U.S., but U.S. military lawyers say they should act in line with its provisions. The conventions restrict interference with vessels on international waters, with narrow hot-pursuit and self-defense exceptions. Prof. Luke Moffett argued force could be used to stop a boat but must be reasonable and necessary in self-defense; the strike may have been unlawful under the law of the sea. Other experts questioned whether killing cartel members could contravene the use-of-force principles. Under Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, force is permitted in self-defense if under attack. Some scholars contend the target here was not a lawful military target, and labeling suspects as narco-terrorists does not legitimize targeting. Human-rights implications include potential extrajudicial killings. Notre Dame’s Prof. Mary Ellen O’Connell said intentional killings outside armed conflict are unlawful unless necessary to save a life. Some experts noted insufficient evidence that Tren de Aragua is engaged in armed conflict with the U.S. U.S. officials defended the strike, with Senator Lindsay Graham praising it and Senator Bernie Moreno framing it as protective of Americans. A White House official claimed Trump authorized the strike after it left Venezuela; the Pentagon offered no further comment. Questions linger on U.S. compliance with constitutional procedures (War Powers Resolution requiring Congressional consultation) and whether the administration’s legal basis is adequate. The method of launch remains undisclosed, and Maduro has not commented; there were suggestions the released footage might be AI-generated. The U.S. has deployed several naval assets in the region; publicly identified vessels include USS Lake Erie, USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Fort Lauderdale, with locations reported in late August. A $50 million reward is offered for information leading to Maduro’s arrest. (BBC)