On the brakes: London stopped sharing intelligence with Washington on ships

The United Kingdom has stopped sharing intelligence information with the United States about ships in the Caribbean. London has stated that it does not want to be complicit in Washington's illegal military strikes. Following the UK, Colombia also took a similar step. For more information about what is happening, as well as how much this decision may affect US actions in the Caribbean, see the Izvestia article.

Out of concern

CNN reported that the UK has stopped sharing intelligence information with the United States about ships in the Caribbean that may carry drugs. London considers the attacks illegal and contrary to international law and does not want to be complicit in the attacks on the ships.

According to CNN, the incident marks a significant break between Britain and its closest ally and intelligence-sharing partner and underscores growing skepticism about the legality of the US military campaign in Latin America. Among the intelligence transmitted were the location of the vessels allegedly carrying drugs, as well as the estimated number of people on board.

It is important to note that the United Kingdom, which controls a number of territories in the Caribbean where its intelligence units are based, has been helping the United States for years to detect ships suspected of transporting drugs so that Washington can intercept them. However, earlier ships were only stopped, searched, crews were detained, and drugs were seized.

Since Washington began attacking ships, London has become concerned that the United States is using the country's intelligence to select targets. At the same time, it is specified that the pause in intelligence activities began more than a month ago. The UK itself agrees with the statement of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, who called these strikes violating international law and tantamount to "extrajudicial execution."

However, the Trump administration sees this situation differently. Washington is confident that the military can legally kill suspected drug traffickers, since they pose an immediate threat to Americans and are "enemy combatants" in "armed conflict" with the United States.

Later, information about the suspension of the exchange of intelligence between London and Washington was confirmed by the British newspaper the Times.

In an interview with Izvestia, Sergei Mikhailov, a leading RISI expert, drew attention to the fact that there is a long-standing intelligence cooperation between the United States and Great Britain. What is happening now suggests that the United Kingdom is in danger of shaking the foundations, which is strange, including given the recent reception of Trump by King Charles III. In this regard, the interlocutor of Izvestia suggests that London may have some other context.

The expert also considers it important that such incidents are usually not made public.

Unwillingness to cooperate

Egor Lidovskaya, director of the Hugo Chavez Latin American Center, expressed doubt in an interview with Izvestia that Britain was unexpectedly interested in international law.

— London's decision is nothing more than part of the game against Trump that is being played by globalists today. This is not to say that Trump does not give a reason to attack him: a possible decision to attack Venezuela is criminal and erroneous, including from the point of view of Trump's implementation of his ideas about defeating the Democrats. This only gives the latter trump cards to fight the president and helps them return to the political arena, including strengthening international support for "blue" politicians, the expert noted.

Yegor Lidovskaya also pointed out the importance of resolving the issue of the former British colony of Guyana, which has impressive oil reserves. The expert did not rule out the existence of fears in the UK that Trump's possible intervention in Latin America would deprive London of influence in Guyana.

The fact that there are territories controlled by Great Britain in Latin America was also pointed out by the American political scientist Malek Dudakov. It is precisely because of this that London has the opportunity to collect intelligence information.

"At the same time, the British Labor Party is not eager to join Trump's campaign against drug cartels, so it is quite natural for them to distance themselves from this whole situation," the expert believes.

Who's next

After information appeared that London had stopped sharing intelligence with Washington, it became known about a similar step on the part of Colombia. This was announced on the social network X by the country's president Gustavo Petro.

"Law enforcement agencies at all levels have been ordered to suspend all communications and other contacts with American security services. This measure will remain in effect as long as missile attacks on ships in the Caribbean Sea continue. The fight against drugs must be subordinated to human rights," wrote the head of the Latin American state.

In this regard, Yegor Lidovskaya did not rule out that other countries may follow the UK, but this will not have a critical impact on the United States.

"Firstly, the United States itself has quite powerful intelligence in Latin America, and secondly — and I think this is the main thing - the fight against drug cartels was just a cover for building up its military presence in the Caribbean and possible future military interventions in independent states," the expert believes.

Whether this happens or not, Espert adds, depends on a number of circumstances, the main thing is that there is no intelligence from third countries and the presence or absence of drug trafficking among these circumstances.

Malek Dudakov added that there is now a general mood among the countries of the anglosphere, including Canada, which will also not participate in supporting the United States and Trump's policies on this issue. However, Ottawa does not have much information that could be offered to Washington, the expert believes.

The US response

Malek Dudakov also did not rule out that the United States could take symmetrical steps and begin to block Britain's access to the information it receives within the framework of the Five Eyes alliance.

— This will be a very severe blow for Britain, because 90% of the information is collected by American intelligence agencies. So the intelligence war will continue to escalate. In the long run, of course, the blow will be more powerful for Britain than for the United States," the American expert said.

The expert also considers it important that the US intelligence services accuse the UK of cooperating with China.

— The Chinese bought an abandoned American military base not so long ago, and from there, the Americans believe, they will monitor the United States. Therefore, they have distrust in the context of the triangle of the United States, Britain and China," adds Malek Dudakov.

Sergei Mikhailov also added that Trump's character presupposes any development of events. However, the expert doubts that we can talk about serious confrontations.

— In these areas, people, as a rule, try not to arrange demonstrative scandals, intrigues and investigations. Everything is quiet, peaceful and noble. They will say it so that no one sees it," the expert suggests.