US used civilian-like aircraft in deadly Caribbean strike, raising legal concerns

U.S. military officials employed an aircraft disguised to resemble a civilian plane during a lethal strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean early last September, according to reports citing current and former officials. The operation, which resulted in 11 fatalities, has sparked an internal legal and ethical debate within the Pentagon over whether the tactic constituted "perfidy"—a war crime under the laws of armed conflict.

Details of the Covert Strike

On September 2, a crewed U.S. Air Force aircraft with civilian-style markings and internally carried weapons struck a boat originating from Venezuela. Officials told the Washington Post that two individuals survived the initial attack but were killed in a follow-up engagement. The aircraft belonged to a covert fleet used in missions where standard military livery would be operationally disadvantageous, and it was reportedly already configured with its civilian appearance prior to the mission.

Internal Debate Over Legality and "Perfidy"

The use of the disguised platform triggered concerns among some Pentagon lawyers. International law prohibits perfidy, which is defined as feigning civilian or non-combatant status to launch an attack. Todd Huntley, a former military lawyer, explained to the Post that arming such an aircraft for self-defense is not a violation, but "using it as an offensive platform and relying on its civilian appearance to gain the confidence of the enemy is." Some officials also raised concerns about exposing a sensitive capability in a strike against a non-military target described as "civilians on a boat who posed no threat."

Administration's Legal Justification and External Scrutiny

The Trump administration has asserted the strikes are lawful, arguing the president has determined the U.S. is in an armed conflict with drug cartels. Many international legal experts dispute this, contending that narcotics trafficking does not meet the legal threshold for an armed conflict under international law. In statements, the White House defended the operation as part of lawful efforts to combat cartels, while the Pentagon emphasized that all aircraft undergo review for compliance with U.S. and international law.