Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre says Saint Lucia has received no new details from the United States about a US military strike conducted near the waters between Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent that killed three people on February 13.
The incident, which American forces described as a “lethal kinetic strike” targeting a vessel on alleged drug-trafficking routes, has sparked concern across the region, especially after at least one Saint Lucian, Ricky Joseph, was reported missing following the attack. Joseph’s family believes he may have been aboard the vessel when it was struck.
Bilateral talks between Saint Lucia and the US were held during the recent CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, with discussions focusing on regional security, drug interdiction and health. Pierre said he raised questions about the February 13 incident amid growing public interest and concern.
“I will hasten to tell you that we got no more information on what happened in the waters of St Vincent and Saint Lucia,” the Prime Minister said at the March 2 pre-Cabinet press briefing.
Pierre also shared what the US has told him so far about the operations.
“What the Americans are firm on is that they are very, very firm on not allowing drugs, when they perceive it, to come through our waters,” he said.
American authorities have referred to those killed as “narcoterrorists,” though they have not publicly provided evidence linking the vessel or its occupants to drug trafficking.
Pierre added that U.S officials told him they “work on intelligence” and that when such actions occur, it is typically done for “a reason.”
Joseph’s family has filed a missing person report with local police, who later recovered what appeared to be the remains of a fishing vessel off the coast of Micoud. While local authorities said they are investigating the connection between the recovered vessel and his disappearance, they have not confirmed any official link to the U.S. strike.
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