The Breakdown 24

• Families of two Trinidadian fishermen, Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo, are suing the Trump administration for wrongful death after their loved ones were killed in a U.S. military strike on a boat off Venezuela in October 2025.
• The lawsuit accuses the government of committing premeditated and intentional killings during military operations targeting alleged drug smugglers, highlighting serious concerns about the justification of such strikes.
• This landmark case marks the first legal challenge against the Trump administration regarding the controversial airstrikes, which have resulted in numerous civilian casualties.
• President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are named in the lawsuit, raising critical questions about accountability in U.S. military actions abroad.
• With reports indicating that the airstrikes have led to a staggering death toll of 126, the families emphasize a desperate need for justice and scrutiny over military operations that affect innocent lives.
• The families are seeking damages under the Death on the High Seas Act, calling for recognition of the harm done and broader discussions about the ethics of U.S. military interventions in foreign waters.