Archbishop Broglio Issues Moral Warning on U.S. Military’s Lethal Caribbean Boat Strikes

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop for the Military Services, has issued a strong public warning about the morality and legality of recent U.S. military operations in the Caribbean. The military has carried out lethal drone strikes on vessels suspected of carrying drugs, resulting in more than 87 deaths and raising serious questions about due process,

just war standards, and the treatment of noncombatants.

In a statement released December 3, 2025, Archbishop Broglio stressed that every human person — including those suspected of criminal activity — possesses God-given dignity and is entitled to legal protections. He emphasized that the intentional killing of individuals who pose no immediate threat is always immoral and violates both U.S. law and Catholic teaching. His remarks specifically referenced survivors of boat strikes who are considered hors de combat under the U.S. Law of War Manual, meaning they are noncombatants who must be protected.

Broglio also warned that no member of the armed forces should be ordered to carry out actions that violate conscience or moral law. He urged national leaders and military officials to ensure that all operations adhere to legal procedures, just war principles, and the sanctity of human life.

The Archbishop’s intervention highlights growing concern over the United States’ moral credibility as questions mount about the conduct and oversight of these strikes. Catholic leaders argue that bypassing due process in the name of drug interdiction undermines human rights, risks harming innocent people, and damages the nation’s longstanding commitment to justice.

“It would be an illegal and immoral order to kill deliberately survivors on a vessel who pose no immediate lethal threat to our armed forces,” Broglio said. “I call on our Nation’s leaders, legislators, and those specifically charged to direct our Armed Forces to respect the consciences of those who raise their right hands to defend and protect the Constitution by not asking them to engage in immoral actions. Show the world our respect for human dignity and the rule of law.”

The statement calls for a thorough reassessment of current military practices in the Caribbean and a renewed commitment to upholding human dignity, even in the face of serious challenges like drug trafficking.