Fear is spreading across Saint Lucia’s fishing communities following the United States drone strike on a vessel, with fisherfolk saying the situation is threatening their safety, freedom and livelihoods. And they are calling for authorities to press for the removal of US military operations from Caribbean waters.
The Donald Trump administration confirmed that the military conducted a “lethal kinetic strike” last Friday, targeting individuals suspected of drug trafficking and resulting in the deaths of so-called “narco‑terrorists.
Although there has been no confirmation of reports that two Saint Lucian fishermen were among those killed in the strike that occurred in the waters of neighbouring Grenadine island Bequia, fishermen told St Lucia Times the strike’s proximity to home has left them anxious.
Fishing has long been central to Saint Lucian life. From the island’s earliest inhabitants, the Arawaks and Caribs, to modern generations, the sea has provided food, income, and cultural continuity. Fishing has evolved into a pillar of rural life and coastal economies. But fisherfolk say that legacy now feels under threat.
Mathaius “MJ”, a fisherman based in the south of the island, did not hide his anger when speaking to St Lucia Times about the situation.
“What Trump doing is wickedness,” he said. “We have plenty fishermen out there. Fish is what we depend on. We have loans to pay, children to feed. Now men afraid to go out.”
MJ explained that fishermen typically leave port around 3 a.m. to reach fishing grounds early, a practice that outsiders may misinterpret.
“We go out in the early morning to reach the FAD [fish aggregating device which is used to attract pelagic fish] before the fish move,” he said. “That is normal for us. But now I can’t even go where I have to go….I don’t feel safe.”
MJ said the impact is already visible at the Vieux Fort Fisheries Complex. He noted that activity there has fallen dramatically.
“That place always full of life,” MJ said. “But this morning only two boats went out. Men afraid. Their wives telling them don’t go far.”
Veteran fisherman Joseph Dalsan says the issue cuts deeper than economics.
“This is how we put food on the table,” he said. “My grandfather did it, his grandfather did it before him. Why kill people on the spot? If you suspect a boat, board it, search it, arrest the people if they are criminals. Let justice take its course.”
Dalsan believes the strikes send the wrong message to Caribbean communities.
“America does not kill their own like that,” he added. “They have bigger problems to deal with.”
The Goodwill Fishermen’s Cooperative Society says it understands the fear gripping the sector and urges fishermen to remain compliant with regulations so their rights can be defended if necessary.
Operations Manager Kaygianna Toussaint said vessel specifications such as engine size and horsepower are governed by the Department of Fisheries and must follow legal guidelines.
“The quantity and power of engines on a vessel are not random choices,” she explained. “They fall under regulations. Fishers must ensure their operations are legal and above board so there is evidence to support them if anything happens.”
She also encouraged fishermen to remain within territorial waters where their activities can be verified.
“If they operate within the law, there is a framework to defend them,” Toussaint said.
Still, many fishermen feel that compliance alone will not protect them from aerial strikes that leave little opportunity for verification or response.
Questions remain about the identities of those killed in recent US operations. Yesterday, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force confirmed it is investigating the disappearance of Ricky Joseph, a Saint Lucian man whose family believes may have been caught in one of the strikes.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Luke Defreitas said they are looking into whether there is any connection between the remains of a charred fishing vessel recovered off the coast of Micoud on Wednesday, and the disappearance of Joseph who “may have been a passenger aboard this vessel, whether as a crew member or a worker”.
