A modern Canadian camera system played a role in contentious U.S. operations targeting suspected Venezuelan drug vessels, as per a report by Project Ploughshares disclosed to CBC’s visual investigations team. The report suggests that Canadian technology, particularly the L3Harris WESCAM MX-Series sensor system, was utilized by the U.S. military for surveillance during the strikes.
According to the report, Canadian surveillance technology was involved in the initial two strikes against boats leaving Venezuela, with the U.S. military conducting a total of five strikes in the Caribbean. These strikes, labeled as actions against drug smuggling vessels operated by “narcoterrorists” by President Donald Trump, resulted in at least 21 fatalities, with videos released for four of the strikes.
Legal experts have raised concerns about the legality of these strikes, suggesting they may have breached international human rights and maritime laws. The White House defended the actions as necessary measures against a terrorist group and within the boundaries of self-defense and armed conflict laws.
Global Affairs Canada is monitoring the situation and is aware of the Canadian technology’s involvement. The MX-Series systems, manufactured by L3Harris WESCAM in Hamilton, Canada, are widely used in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition missions across various domains by military and law enforcement agencies globally.
Project Ploughshares previously identified instances of MX-Series systems being used in conflicts in other regions, showcasing similarities in visual elements across different deployments. The report highlights graphical similarities between the Venezuelan strike videos and footage from other conflicts, pointing to potential common technology usage.
Experts, including former military personnel and defense industry professionals, suggest that an MX-Series system was likely used in the initial strike videos. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential violation of human rights laws and the need for better oversight on Canadian arms exports to prevent misuse in conflict situations.
For more information or tips on this story, contact Christian Paas-Lang at christian.paas-lang@cbc.ca.
