Recent developments in the Southern Caribbean have sounded alarm bells across the region. A United States military strike earlier this month resulted in the deaths of 11 Venezuelans aboard a vessel allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
Since then, tensions have increased, with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro describing the United States’ actions not as mere tension, but as “aggression all down the line”.
For Caribbean nations, this is all unfolding in our backyard, and its implications for our sovereignty, international law, and regional security cannot be ignored.
At a time when the United States is increasing its military presence in Caribbean waters, CARICOM foreign ministers have raised legitimate and urgent concerns. Among them are the lack of consultation with regional governments, the potential attack on international norms, and the recent extrajudicial actions. Their concerns demand serious attention—not just from Washington, but from all Caribbean citizens who value peace, sovereignty, and justice.
The US has offered no evidence to justify the killing of the 11 Venezuelans, claiming the vessel was transporting narcotics and tied to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang. However, the Venezuelan government disputes these claims and insists none of those killed had links to organised crime.
This is the crux of the matter. Allegations, however serious, do not justify execution without trial. The right to life and the right to due process are fundamental principles of international law. When countries bypass these rights in the name of security or political expediency, they set a dangerous precedent.
It should deeply concern all of us that lives can be taken at sea, in our region, without transparency, accountability, or legal scrutiny. Such actions should not be accepted under any flag no matter how powerful.
The Trump administration has intensified military operations in the Caribbean, reportedly to crack down on narcotics trafficking. Warships and aircraft have been deployed near Venezuelan waters, with no regional coordination or oversight.
Venezuela has accused the US Navy of illegally boarding a civilian tuna fishing vessel in its Exclusive Economic Zone and detaining the crew for eight hours. If true, this action would be a serious violation.
But this is not just a Venezuela issue. This is a Caribbean issue. These waters are shared by a group of closely knit countries and are frequented by fishermen, pleasure cruisers, shipping and other users. Any increase in military activity, especially without consultation, poses risks to all of us.
Venezuela has not helped to foster a solid Caribbean position on the matter given its own hostilities and territorial claims against CARICOM neighbour Guyana.
CARICOM foreign ministers have made clear that regional governments expect consultation when foreign powers operate in our waters. This is not an unreasonable expectation especially when interacting with ostensibly friendly partners.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kerrie Symmonds has spoken publicly about the need to preserve the Caribbean as a “Zone of Peace”. Other regional leaders have echoed that sentiment. It is a warning that the region must not become collateral in someone else’s conflict.
It is especially troubling that lethal force is being used without regional coordination, and in some cases, seemingly without clear legal basis. When major powers act unilaterally, they undermine the very principles that small states rely on to protect their sovereignty.
The current moment demands a strong and unified Caribbean response. CARICOM should demand full transparency from the United States on the legal basis for its recent military actions in the region, including the deaths of the 11 Venezuelans.
There should also be the establishment of a regional security framework and engagement with international institutions, including the United Nations, to review any possible violations of international law.
The militarisation of our waters and the casual disregard for due process should alarm every citizen of the region. While drug trafficking and organised crime remain real threats, the solution cannot be killing suspects – by becoming the judge, jury and executioner.
The Caribbean must not be a battlefield, and we must not be collateral damage. Most importantly, we must not stay silent.
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