分类： world

WASHINGTON (AFP)—A United States military operation in the eastern Pacific Ocean resulted in two fatalities and the rescue of a survivor after forces targeted a vessel suspected of drug smuggling, officials confirmed on Friday.

US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) disclosed details of the Thursday strike in a social media statement, identifying the target as a ‘low-profile vessel’ navigating established narco-trafficking corridors while allegedly engaged in illicit drug operations. The command characterized the engagement as ‘lethal’ but initially withheld casualty figures, only noting that the Coast Guard had been promptly alerted to search for three individuals.

A subsequent statement from the Coast Guard revealed their vessel responded to distress reports and recovered two deceased persons along with one survivor from the waters. All three individuals were transferred to the custody of the Costa Rican Coast Guard for further processing.

This incident marks the latest in a series of maritime interventions initiated by US forces since early September, with cumulative fatalities from these operations now approaching 160 persons. The Trump administration has framed these actions as essential components of its campaign against what it terms ‘narco-terrorist’ networks operating throughout Latin America.

However, the legal foundation of these strikes faces mounting scrutiny. The administration has not publicly presented conclusive evidence verifying the drug trafficking involvement of each targeted vessel, raising concerns among international law experts and human rights organizations. Critics contend these operations may constitute extrajudicial killings, particularly given that targeted vessels typically pose no immediate threat to US forces.

This maritime enforcement activity occurs alongside broader regional deployments, including heightened US military presence in the Caribbean where recent operations have included vessel seizures, oil tanker interdictions, and even a controversial incursion into Venezuela’s capital targeting leftist leader Nicolas Maduro.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — The President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Winston Anderson, has put forward a groundbreaking proposal for the creation of an international compensation mechanism financed by major corporations to address climate change-related disasters. Speaking at a high-level international conference, Justice Anderson outlined his vision for what he termed the International Climate Injuries Compensation (ICIC) Fund.

The initiative, presented during the keynote address at the ‘Climate Change Advisory Opinions from International Courts: Exploring Synergies and Implications’ conference, aims to revolutionize how climate damages are addressed globally. The event, hosted by The University of the West Indies Faculty of Law in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s World Commission on Environmental Law, gathered leading jurists and legal scholars in Barbados on March 19-20, 2026.

Justice Anderson emphasized that the ICIC Fund would provide a practical alternative to the current complex litigation processes that often hinder compensation for climate victims. The framework would operate under an international convention requiring compulsory funding from greenhouse gas-emitting corporations within contracting states, with contributions calculated based on their percentage of annual emissions.

The proposal specifically addresses the unique vulnerabilities of small island developing states, particularly Caribbean nations that continue to experience increasingly severe weather systems. Justice Anderson referenced Hurricane Melissa from October 2025 as a recent example of the devastating impacts these regions face.

While acknowledging the Caribbean’s progressive recognition that environmental rights constitute human rights, Justice Anderson noted that existing regional frameworks remain inadequate for addressing transboundary climate crises. He stressed the critical importance of accessible legal remedies to support vulnerable states and their citizens in managing loss and damage while rebuilding their economies.

The proposed fund would align with both the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle and customary international law requiring states to ensure that economic activities within their jurisdictions do not cause environmental harm to other countries. Contracting states would bear responsibility for monitoring and reporting corporate entities to the fund, creating an accountable and transparent system for climate justice.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana—The Guyanese government has issued a stark warning about the potentially severe global economic repercussions stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict, with particular emphasis on the escalating tensions disrupting the vital Strait of Hormuz. Addressing the 136th General Meeting of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), President Irfaan Ali articulated deep concerns that the instability in this critical energy corridor threatens worldwide economic stability, including that of Guyana.

President Ali expressed solidarity with international appeals for diplomatic engagement and peaceful resolution to de-escalate the situation. “I join with President Trump in the United States in urging all parties in the Gulf to move towards dialogue and constructive conversations to normalize the situation,” he stated, highlighting the universal impact of the crisis.

The context of this warning follows the February 28 military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian missile infrastructure, military installations, and leadership targets in Tehran and beyond, which resulted in the death of Iran’s long-serving Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran has intensified operations targeting U.S. forces and has increasingly focused on energy and maritime infrastructure throughout the Gulf. These actions, including threats to commercial shipping and reported attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, have significantly reduced tanker traffic and ignited international anxiety over potential disruptions to energy supplies.

President Ali underscored the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime passage responsible for facilitating 20 to 25 percent of global seaborne oil trade and substantial volumes of natural gas. He reported that disruptions have already begun to strain global markets, citing that 17 percent of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity has been recently affected. The ripple effects are manifesting in increased costs across multiple sectors; fertilizer prices have surged by 25 percent, a development that portends direct consequences for international agriculture and food production networks.

“These are essential components for manufacturing, industrial development, and most economies around the world,” Ali told the assembled business leaders. He cautioned that even an immediate cessation of hostilities would not avert long-term challenges, estimating that damage to the Gulf’s energy infrastructure could require up to five years for full repair. The heightened risks have already precipitated a sharp rise in freight, transport, and maritime insurance costs, further straining global trade logistics.

In response to these mounting global energy uncertainties, President Ali announced a renewed governmental initiative to establish a domestic oil refinery, framing it as a critical national security priority. Despite Guyana’s emergence as a significant oil-producing nation, it remains heavily dependent on imported fuel, particularly for electricity generation. The substantial fuel expenses incurred by Guyana Power and Light Inc. are vulnerable to global price shocks, and investing in domestic refining capacity is envisioned as a strategic move to gain greater control over fuel supply, pricing, and long-term energy security.

This effort is part of a broader strategy to enhance national energy infrastructure, including the ongoing gas-to-energy project, which aims to reduce reliance on imported fuels and ultimately lower electricity costs. President Ali concluded by emphasizing the necessity of close collaboration between the government and the business community to navigate the volatile global environment and sustain Guyana’s robust economic growth, affirming, “We are vigilant, we are responsible, and we stand ready to make the necessary adjustments.”