Britain suspends intelligence sharing with US: CNN reveals reason
Illustrative photo: Since October, Britain has not been sharing data with the US on Caribbean vessels (Getty Images)
Britain has suspended the exchange of intelligence with the United States regarding Caribbean vessels suspected of involvement in drug trafficking. The reason is the country’s unwillingness to be indirectly implicated in subsequent strikes against them, CNN reports.
Britain, which controls several territories in the Caribbean, has for many years assisted the US in identifying vessels suspected of transporting drugs. This enabled the US Coast Guard to intercept them.
However, in September, the US began striking these boats, and Britain became concerned that its intelligence might be used to select targets.
Sources told the outlet that, in Britain’s view, the US strikes on the boats, which have already killed 76 people, constitute a violation of international law.
CNN reports that Britain put the intelligence-sharing with the US on pause in October.
US fight against drugs
After the start of his second presidential term, US President Donald Trump stated that combating drugs was one of his top priorities. He "named" Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro as the main drug lord.
Trump noted that the amount of drugs entering by sea had fallen to less than 5% of last year’s level. According to him, this result was achieved through enhanced monitoring and military operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
Recently, the US president announced plans for land-based operations against drug trafficking in Venezuela. In this way, Trump confirmed his intentions to strike against drug trafficking in the Caribbean.
