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U.S. Strikes Off Venezuela Leave Trinidad and Tobago Fishermen Fearing for Lives and Livelihoods

Trinidad Fishermen Fear U.S. Strikes Near Venezuela

U.S. military strikes against suspected drug vessels off Venezuela have killed 27 people as of October 14, 2025, leaving Trinidad and Tobago fishermen fearing they could be mistaken for smugglers.

  • Five U.S. strikes killed 27 people by October 14
  • Fishermen fear being mistaken for drug smuggling vessels
  • PM Persad-Bissessar pledged U.S. access to Trinidad territory
  • Maduro deployed 25,000 troops in Venezuelan coastal states
  • Fishing crews now restrict activities to shallower waters
  • Eight U.S. warships patrol Caribbean with nuclear submarine
  • Caribbean leaders urge diplomatic resolution to prevent war
  • Pentagon created new counter-narcotics task force October 10

Fishermen in Trinidad and Tobago fear they could be caught in the crossfire as the United States escalates military strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels off the Venezuelan coast. As of October 14, 2025, five U.S. strikes have killed at least 27 people, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calling those killed narco-terrorists. The fishermen, who work waters just 7 to 11 miles from Venezuela, worry their boats could be mistaken for drug smuggling vessels.

U.S. Military Operations Intensify in Caribbean Waters

The Trump administration has significantly increased military presence in the southern Caribbean since September 2025. Eight U.S. warships, including a nuclear-powered submarine and F-35 aircraft stationed in Puerto Rico, now patrol the region. The fifth strike occurred on October 14, 2025, killing six people on a vessel the U.S. claims was trafficking narcotics. [1][2]

The administration classified the situation as a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels, justifying the use of wartime measures. On October 10, 2025, the Pentagon announced a new counter-narcotics joint task force overseeing operations in Latin America. Legal experts question the legitimacy of these military interventions, as the U.S. has provided limited evidence about the identities of those killed or the cargo involved. [3][4]

Trinidad and Tobago Caught Between Regional Powers

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has openly supported U.S. military actions against drug cartels, calling on the U.S. to kill them all violently. She pledged to grant the U.S. access to Trinidad and Tobago territory if necessary to defend Guyana from Venezuelan territorial claims. Venezuela claims two-thirds of neighboring Guyana as its own. [5][6]

Venezuela Responds With Military Mobilization

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned U.S. actions as military aggression aimed at regime change. On September 8, 2025, Venezuela announced plans to deploy approximately 25,000 troops in coastal states to combat drug trafficking. Maduro placed the military and civilians willing to take up arms on high alert, calling Persad-Bissessar’s stance tantamount to a declaration of war. [7][8]

Fishermen Face Growing Threats to Safety and Income

Kenrick Modie, a fisherman from Icacos village, fears being killed by a U.S. military strike while fishing. He worries his boat could be mistaken for a drug smuggling vessel and that he would be falsely labeled a narco-terrorist with no chance to clear his name. [9][10]

The fishing communities of Icacos and Cedros depend heavily on the sea for their livelihoods. Kamal Bikeran reported that his crew now stays in shallower waters and avoids going far out to sea because of tensions involving the three countries. The heightened military presence from both U.S. and Venezuelan forces, combined with existing pirate threats, has forced fishermen to restrict their fishing activities. [11][12]

Key impacts on Trinidad and Tobago fishermen include:

  • Risk of being mistaken for drug smugglers by U.S. forces
  • Reduced fishing areas due to military presence at sea
  • Decreased catches leading to lower incomes for families
  • Fear of false labeling as narco-terrorists if killed
  • Existing threats from pirates now compounded by military tensions
  • Boats visible along shoreline show community dependence on fishing

Regional Leaders Call for Diplomatic Resolution

Caribbean leaders have urged dialogue to prevent the situation from escalating into war. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley described the region as a potential zone of peace and called for calm discussions. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, criticized the militarization near Venezuela as exceedingly troubling. These regional voices highlight the urgent need for diplomacy to avoid conflict that could endanger civilians and disrupt the Caribbean economy. [13][14]

The United States has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest on drug trafficking charges, which Maduro has consistently denied. While some drug trafficking occurs within Venezuela, experts note it is not a primary hub compared to other regions, leading many to view the strikes as part of a broader political strategy to pressure Maduro. [15][16]

Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson

Senior Political Journalist

United States – Washington, D.C. World

Emily Johnson is a senior journalist and political analyst with nearly a decade of experience in political journalism, international affairs, policy analysis, and investigative reporting. She holds a B.A. in Journalism & Political Communication from Georgetown University (2015), where she built a strong foundation in international relations, media ethics, and data-driven reporting. Emily began her career as a staff writer for Reuters before joining Politico Europe, where she became known for her evidence-based and policy-focused coverage of global political developments, leadership transitions, and international diplomacy. Currently based in Berlin, Germany, she contributes to Faharas NET, focusing on global politics, European policy, and cross-border investigations. Her writing blends rigorous fact-checking, accessible analysis, and deep geopolitical insight, earning her a reputation for credibility and balance in an increasingly polarized media landscape.

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Elena Voren

Elena Voren

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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting. She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior. Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards. Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.

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Kamar Mahmoud

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Kamar Mahmoud serves as the Managing Editor of the English Division at Faharas website, where she plays a pivotal role in maintaining the site's editorial excellence. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, Kamar oversees the entire content lifecycle from writer assignments through to final publication. Her responsibilities include managing editorial workflows, providing guidance to writers, and ensuring that every article published meets Faharas website's rigorous standards of quality, accuracy, and clarity. Through her leadership, she helps maintain the site's reputation for delivering reliable and well-crafted content to its readership.

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Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
Add SEO improvements
— by Elena Voren
Add SEO improvements
— by Nodin Laramie
  1. Updated death toll to 27 people from five U.S. strikes as of October 14, 2025
  2. Added Pentagon announcement of new counter-narcotics task force on October 10, 2025
  3. Included specific military deployment details with eight warships and nuclear submarine
  4. Expanded section on Trinidad PM Persad-Bissessar support for U.S. operations and territorial access offer
  5. Added Venezuela military mobilization with 25,000 troops deployment announced September 8, 2025
  6. Enhanced fishermen testimonies from Kenrick Modie and Kamal Bikeran
  7. Included regional leaders calls for diplomatic resolution from Barbados and St. Vincent
  8. Added context about U.S. classifying situation as non-international armed conflict with cartels
  9. Updated all citations to match October 8-12, 2025 timeframe sources
  10. Revised article structure with improved H2 and H3 headings for better readability
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Added new relevant secondary sources
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Nodin Laramie
  1. Corrected total strike count from unspecified to five strikes as of October 14, 2025
  2. Corrected death toll from unspecified to 27 people killed
  3. Added specific date of fifth strike on October 14, 2025, killing six people
  4. Corrected military deployment from vague presence to eight warships and one nuclear submarine
  5. Added Pentagon task force announcement date of October 10, 2025
  6. Corrected Venezuela troop deployment from vague to specific 25,000 troops announced September 8, 2025
  7. Added specific military classification as non-international armed conflict
  8. Corrected U.S. reward amount verification to $50 million for Maduro arrest
  9. Updated regional leaders statements with specific names and positions
  10. Corrected all source dates to reflect October 8-12, 2025 timeframe
— by Kamar Mahmoud
  1. - Added precise U.S. strike details and dates.
  2. - Included official statements from U.S. and Venezuelan leaders.
  3. - Clarified geographical proximity between Trinidad and Venezuela.
  4. - Highlighted Trinidad PM’s stance and Venezuela’s response.
  5. - Emphasized fishermen’s fears of mistaken identity.
  6. - Explained impact on fishing zones and catches.
  7. - Included regional leaders' calls for peaceful dialogue.
  8. - Provided recent verified incidents and quotes.
  9. - Structured content with clear H2 and H3 headings.
  10. - Cited multiple reputable news sources and reports.

FAQ

What actions has the U.S. taken recently?

The U.S. has conducted five military strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels off Venezuela, killing 27 people as of October 14, 2025. The Pentagon deployed eight warships and a nuclear submarine to the Caribbean region.

How are fishermen in Trinidad and Tobago affected?

Fishermen fear being mistaken for drug smugglers by U.S. forces while working waters near Venezuela. Crews now restrict fishing to shallower areas, reducing catches and income. Existing pirate threats are compounded by heightened U.S. and Venezuelan military presence at sea.

What is the stance of regional leaders?

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and St. Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves have called for peaceful dialogue to prevent war. They describe the Caribbean as a potential zone of peace. Trinidad PM Persad-Bissessar supports U.S. actions and offered territorial access to defend Guyana.