Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Families Sue Over US Boat Strikes
The US military has been attacking boats they believe are carrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.
So far, 126 people have died in these attacks.
Some were killed immediately, and others are presumed dead because they were not found after the attacks.
The US says these attacks are necessary to stop drugs from coming into the country.
But some people are questioning whether these attacks are legal and if they are really effective.
The families of two men killed in one of these attacks have sued the US government, saying the attacks are unlawful and amount to murder.
The lawsuit is the first of its kind and could challenge the legality of these strikes in court.
The US military has confirmed that 126 people have died in strikes on alleged drug boats since early September.
Families of two Trinidadian nationals killed in an October strike have sued the Trump administration, calling the attack a war crime and unlawful.
The lawsuit is the first wrongful death case arising from the 36 strikes carried out since September.
The Trump administration defends the strikes as necessary to combat drug trafficking, while critics argue they are unlawful and ineffective.
The lawsuit seeks damages for the deaths of Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo, who were not members of any drug cartel.
- Who
- US military under the Trump administration, families of Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo
- What
- Strikes on alleged drug boats, lawsuit against the US government
- When
- Since early September, lawsuit filed on Tuesday
- Where
- Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, federal court in Massachusetts
- Why
- To stem the flow of drugs, lawsuit alleges unlawful killings and seeks damages
Critics of the Strikes
Trump Administration
Legality of the Strikes
Critics of the Strikes
Critics argue the strikes are unlawful, amounting to war crimes and extrajudicial killings, and lack congressional authorization.
Trump Administration
The Trump administration defends the strikes as necessary to combat drug trafficking and compliant with international law.
Effectiveness of the Strikes
Critics of the Strikes
Critics question the effectiveness of the strikes, noting that most fentanyl enters the US overland from Mexico.
Trump Administration
The administration believes the strikes are effective in disrupting drug trafficking networks.
- Total Deaths
- 126
- Immediate Deaths
- 116
- Presumed Dead
- 10
- Number of Attacks
- 36
- Locations
- Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean
- Time Period
- Since early September
- Recent Target
- Oil tankers connected with Venezuela
- Legal Challenge
- First wrongful death lawsuit filed by families of Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo
Sources
Death Count From US Strikes On Alleged Drug Boats Reaches 126
Trump administration sued over 2 deaths in boat strike off Venezuela’s coast
Trump Administration Sued Over 2 Deaths In Boat Strike Off Venezuela Coast
