Sign in

Trinidadians condemn US boat strikes, slam Trump for ‘killing poor people’

Family members of two Caribbean men killed in the recent US military strike on a cartel boat slam the Donald Trump administration.

Published on: Oct 18, 2025, 00:58:27 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
Copy link
  • copy link

Family members of Chad 'Charpo' Joseph and Rishi Samaroo from Trinidad, who are believed to have been killed in a US military strike on a drug boat in the Caribbean, have slammed Donald Trump and accused him of “killing poor people.” They are now seeking justice in the matter, The Guardian reported.

Donald Trump described the six persons killed in US military strike on a drug boat in the Caribbean as “narcoterrorists”. (AP)
Donald Trump described the six persons killed in US military strike on a drug boat in the Caribbean as “narcoterrorists”. (AP)

Joseph and Samaroo were among the half a dozen people, who were targeted in the US airstrike for allegedly transporting drugs from Venezuela. Both of them hailed from Las Cuevas, a fishing village in northern Trinidad.

Relatives target Donald Trump

Joseph’s cousin La Toya told The Guardian that the Trinidad and Tobago authorities had given up their sovereignty to the Trump administration, and the accused were denied basic rights as due process was not followed.

“Everybody has a right to due process and due process wasn’t given. It don’t look like we running under our government any more when it comes to the waters – that’s not Trinidad waters,” Toya said

She further stated that US officials made the decision to destroy the boat and not capture them alive for questioning.

Other family members and villagers have shown their distrust in the Trump administration and said that their own government had surrendered to them.

Lynette, who is Joseph's aunt, said that no communication was received from the authorities after the demise of Joseph.

“They real poor, they let us down.” said Lynette.

Also Read: Zelensky visibly shocked at reporter's question; Trump meeting starts on awkward note

US military strikes again

On Thursday, the US Military reported another strike on a boat in the Caribbean, although there were some survivors. Till now, 27 people have been killed in the strikes carried out by the US authorities in the Caribbean. As per Trump officials, these strikes are important to keep narcotics from Venezuela away from America.

Donald Trump termed the six men on the boat as "narcoterrorists" and mentioned that the intelligence had information that the boat was trafficking narcotics.

Also Read: With no takers yet, White House sets meeting with colleges still weighing an agreement with Trump

FAQs:

How many strikes have been carried out so far?

As per NBC News, the latest strike was at least the fifth to have been carried out by the Trump administration against boats in international waters. These people are said to be connected to drug cartels in Venezuela.

Where is Trinidad located?

Trinidad is located at the southernmost part of the Caribbean Sea.

How many people have been killed till now in US strikes?

At least 27 have died in recent attacks off the coast of Venezuela.

  • HT US Desk
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    HT US Desk

    The Hindustan Times US Desk brings you the latest news and developments from across the United States. The team covers everything from breaking news and politics to sports, business, entertainment and stories that are trending across the country. Our coverage includes the White House, Congress, US elections, immigration and visa updates, H-1B, green cards, Social Security, education, jobs, layoffs, the economy, technology and major policy changes. We also closely follow stories that matter to Indian and South Asian communities in the US. The desk covers major US sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, along with player news, injuries, schedules, results and major events. Entertainment coverage includes Hollywood, celebrities, television, streaming, music and pop culture. We also report on breaking developments, major incidents, weather, public safety, court cases and other stories making headlines across the country. When a major policy or news development affects people's everyday lives, the team works to explain what happened, what it means and what readers need to know. Alongside breaking news, the US Desk produces explainers and practical stories on topics such as immigration, Social Security, taxes, education, employment and government programmes. The team also works on science, tech, business and AI stories analyzing the impact they may have on people. The team follows developments throughout the day, keeping an eye on official announcements, public records, reliable news sources and what people are talking about across the US.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.