Canada’s Department of National Defence has affirmed its commitment to maintaining a joint operation with the U.S. Coast Guard aimed at apprehending drug smugglers in the Caribbean, despite recent deadly U.S. airstrikes in the region. The operation, known as Operation Caribbe and ongoing since 2006, involves the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force collaborating with the U.S. Coast Guard to intercept suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean and transferring any detainees for prosecution in the U.S.
In contrast, the U.S. Air Force has adopted a different strategy by conducting airstrikes on four suspected drug boats, resulting in the deaths of 21 individuals. Canadian officials have distanced themselves from these actions, emphasizing that they are not connected to Canadian military or intelligence operations in the area. Operation Caribbe forms part of a multinational effort called Campaign Martillo, encompassing 14 nations from the Americas to Europe.
Tim Addison, director of naval affairs for the Naval Association of Canada (NAC), acknowledged the department’s attempt to differentiate itself but expressed unease over the airstrikes and the potential implications for future operations. Scholars and Human Rights Watch have raised concerns about the legality and ethicality of the strikes.
Addison, a former naval officer with extensive experience, urged the Canadian government to seek clarification from the U.S. regarding the rationale behind the airstrikes and emphasized the need for transparency in decision-making. The situation has placed the Royal Canadian Navy in a challenging position amid ongoing negotiations between Canada and the U.S. over a new trade agreement.
Meanwhile, Eric Ouellet, a defense studies professor at Canadian Forces College and the Royal Military College of Canada, highlighted the delicate position Canada finds itself in due to the airstrikes. Ouellet stressed the importance of avoiding involvement near Venezuela to mitigate the risk of contributing inadvertently to potentially illegal operations. He suggested that Canadian resources could be redirected to address other regional issues like arms smuggling around Haiti.
The U.S. has justified the airstrikes as targeted actions against designated terrorist groups involved in drug trafficking, attributing the influx of drugs to Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro. Detainees captured through Operation Caribbe are often low-level members of drug cartels, providing valuable intelligence on cartel operations.
Operation Caribbe has successfully intercepted 123 metric tonnes of cocaine since its inception in 2006, underscoring its significance in combating drug trafficking in the region.