Why United Nations says US boat strikes may be ‘crimes against humanity’

A United Nations report has concluded that US strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific are illegal and could constitute “crimes against humanity”.In a report published on Monday, UN Special Rapporteur Ben Saul said attacks on 68 vessels from September last year to August killed at least 223 people and entailed the “illegal use” of disproportionate force.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4US strikes on alleged drug boats may be ‘crimes against humanity’, UN sayslist 2 of 4‘Handcuffed and blindfolded’: Is the US targeting Ecuadorian fishermen?list 3 of 4Ecuador defends US sinking of vessels as joint anti-drug operationlist 4 of 4US announces $45m in security funding, additional naval vessels for Ecuadorend of listThe findings were released just days after the US military announced its latest attack on another boat, which killed four people. US President Donald Trump’s administration, which frames the operations against the boats as part of a military conflict, said they are necessary to prevent the flow of lethal drugs into the United States. It has described the drug shipments as an “armed attack” on US territory.Here’s what we know a...