The family of Chad Joseph, a 26-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago, has accused the U.S. military of killing him in a recent strike on vessels near Venezuela. Joseph, who had been living in Venezuela for several months, informed his family of his plan to return home by boat but never arrived. Reports suggest he was among six individuals on a vessel allegedly involved in drug trafficking, which the U.S. targeted and destroyed. This incident is part of a series of strikes initiated by the Trump administration, resulting in 27 deaths so far. However, the identities of the deceased remain undisclosed, leaving families in distress. Joseph’s mother, Lenore Burnley, expressed her disbelief and anguish, stating, ‘I don’t want to believe that this is my child. Is this really true?’ The family vehemently denies any involvement of Joseph in illegal activities. Another Trinidadian, Rishi Samaroo, from the same fishing village, is also missing and believed to be on the vessel. Trinidad and Tobago’s Defense Minister Wayne Sturge confirmed that the government has not received official confirmation of the victims’ identities and lacks jurisdiction to investigate, as the incident occurred in international waters. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has supported Trump’s anti-drug efforts, despite criticism from some who view it as undermining CARICOM’s stance on maintaining the Caribbean as a ‘Zone of Peace.’ Legal experts and international observers have questioned the legality of the U.S. military’s actions, arguing that targeting civilians without due process violates international law. Families of the missing have received no communication from the government, adding to their grief and frustration.
T&T natives’ lives allegedly cut short in U.S. military strikes in Caribbean Sea; country’s leadership says they know nothing
