PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Relatives of Ricky Joseph, a 35-year-old boat captain from the eastern Caribbean island of St. Lucia, have reported him missing following a recent U.S. military strike targeting a suspected drug vessel in the area. Family members expressed their fears that Joseph may have been killed during the incident, as they have not had any contact with him since the strike on February 13.
According to the statements made by his brother, Titus Joseph, the last communication they had was two days prior to the strike. Following discussions with local fishermen who described the boat allegedly involved in the incident, Titus Joseph speculated that if it matched the color scheme mentioned (red, black, and green), it could be the same boat his brother had taken out to sea. This led to increasing anxiety about Ricky's safety.
Ricky Joseph resided in Vieux Fort, located at the southern tip of St. Lucia, and had been working as a fishing boat captain for most of his life. The U.S. military confirmed that three individuals, referred to as narco-terrorists, were killed in the February 13 strike. However, Titus Joseph emphatically denied any claims linking his brother to drug trafficking or any criminal activities, stating, "That man never got arrested."
In the wake of Ricky Joseph's disappearance, his family has filed a missing person report. Meanwhile, remnants of a severely damaged boat have washed ashore in St. Lucia, and although local police have taken custody of the vessel, they have not confirmed whether it is the same one that was targeted during the strike.
The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, located just south of St. Lucia, noted that the strike occurred within its maritime jurisdiction. Following the incident, the government cautioned local fishermen to be vigilant while at sea, highlighting the increasing dangers posed by U.S. military operations in the region.
The recent U.S. strikes began in early September as part of a broader initiative led by the administration of former President Donald Trump to combat what they describe as "narcoterrorism" in small vessels across the Caribbean. These military actions have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 151 individuals, raising significant concerns among local communities and fishermen who feel increasingly threatened by the operations.
The latest military strike occurred on Monday, killing three people, according to U.S. military reports, leading to a growing outcry in the Caribbean over the collateral damage and the lack of accountability for such interventions. The situation surrounding Ricky Joseph’s disappearance highlights the tragic consequences of these military operations, as families grapple with uncertainty and fear for their loved ones.
