Families of Trinidadian men killed in US strike sue Trump admin
The families of two men killed in a U.S. military strike in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela in October have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, saying the attack was "manifestly unlawful."
Six men from Trinidad were killed in the strike, and the families suing allege the victims were fishermen returning from Venezuela to their home in Trinidad when their boat was attacked.
The families are suing for civil damages under a federal maritime law. No immediate response from the Pentagon or Justice Department.
TRUMP TOUTS ANOTHER US STRIKE NEAR VENEZUELA THAT KILLED SIX ALLEGED DRUG SMUGGLERS
Chad Joseph and Rishi Samarooo of Trinidad and Tobago were two of the six individuals killed in the October 14, 2025 strike, according to the suit.
Joseph's mother, Lenore Burnley, and Samaroo's sister, Sallycar Korasingh, are "seeking compensation for the killing of Mr. Joseph and Mr. Samaroo, for the benefit of their beneficiaries," the suit notes.
"Through this suit, Ms. Burnley and Ms. Korasingh also demand accountability for U.S. officials’ brazen acts—taken in wanton disregard of the most elementary principles of law and humanity—that took away their loved ones forever," it declares.
The lawsuit points to an October 14th Truth Social post by President Donald Trump that features a video of a vessel being destroyed in a strike.
"Under my Standing Authorities as Commander-in-Chief, this morning, the Secretary of War, ordered a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) conducting narcotrafficking in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility — just off the Coast of Venezuela," the president declared in the post.
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"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known DTO route. The strike was conducted in International Waters, and six male narcoterrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike. No U.S. Forces were harmed. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!!!!" Trump added in the post.