US Conducts 10 Caribbean Boat Airstrikes Killing 43 Amid Drug Trafficking Claims

The Trump administration has escalated military operations in the Caribbean, conducting at least 10 U.S. airstrikes on boats allegedly carrying drugs, resulting in 43 deaths and causing fear among fishermen in Trinidad and Tobago. These strikes, which began on September 2, target vessels accused of transporting narcotics and are justified by the administration as necessary for national self-defense against "narcoterrorists." The U.S. Navy has also increased its presence in the region, exemplified by the visit of the USS Gravely for joint training with Trinidad and Tobago's Defence Force, amid concerns from local opposition and former Caribbean leaders about potential military escalation and regional stability. Critics, including some media and regional leaders, have condemned the strikes as extrajudicial killings and questioned the legitimacy of the U.S. actions, noting the lack of publicly presented evidence and the broader political context of U.S. efforts to challenge the Venezuelan government under President Trump. Survivors of these attacks are being held onboard U.S. warships, marking a significant development in the administration's undeclared war on drug trafficking networks. The situation highlights growing tensions in the Caribbean, with the U.S. maintaining a robust military posture under the pretext of combating drug trafficking, raising alarms about sovereignty and regional security.