Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) issued a statement Saturday vowing to conduct “vigorous oversight” on Caribbean strikes after a report surfaced that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the U.S. military to “kill everybody” aboard an alleged drug vessel.
Archiv: (zivile) Schifffahrt / (civil) sea traffic
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
(November 28, 2025)
As two men clung to a stricken, burning ship targeted by SEAL Team 6, the Joint Special Operations commander followed the defense secretary’s order to leave no survivors.
US strikes another boat in Caribbean Sea, killing 3
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday announced another deadly U.S. strike on a boat he said was trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean Sea.
The attack Thursday killed three people aboard the vessel, Hegseth said, bringing the death toll from the Trump administration’s campaign in South American waters up to at least 69 people in at least 17 strikes
Fisherman officially reported missing: Family believes he died in US strike
Police in the Maracas Bay district are now officially investigating the disappearance of 26-year-old Las Cuevas fisherman Chad Joseph, whose relatives and community members have publicly claimed he was among the men killed in a US military strike at sea two weeks ago.
Joseph, of Salvary Lane, St Michael’s Village, Las Cuevas, was reported missing on Saturday evening by a 37-year-old businesswoman. She told police that the last time she saw him was on the morning of April 25, when he told her he was going fishing. He never returned.
Family of man believed killed in US strike files missing person report
The family of 26-year-old fisherman Chad Joseph, who is believed to have been killed in a US airstrike, has filed a missing person report with the Maracas Bay Police.
Police said a relative reported that Joseph was last seen around 5 am on April 25, when he said he was going out to fish from his home at Salvary Lane, St Michaels Village, Las Cuevas. He was not seen again.
Officers said the relative later chose not to complete a formal statement until speaking with an attorney.
US kills 14 in new attack on Pacific vessels
Fourteen people were killed and one survived, as a result of another attack by the U.S. War Department against three vessels sailing in the waters of the Eastern Pacific.
The information was confirmed by the Secretary of the US Department of War, Pete Hegseth, who detailed in his X account that “three lethal kinetic attacks were carried out against four vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (…) A total of 14 narcoterrorists died during the three attacks.”
Another US strike in Caribbean targets alleged drug-running boat, killing 6, Hegseth says
In a 20-second black and white video of the strike that was posted to social media, a small boat can be seen apparently sitting motionless on the water when a long thin projectile descends on it resulting in an explosion. The video ends before the explosion dies down enough for the remains of the boat to become visible again.
In his post, Hegseth said that the strike was conducted in international waters and boasted that it was the first one conducted at night.
Colombia’s Leader Accuses U.S. of Murder, Prompting Trump to Halt Aid
(October 19, 2025)
President Gustavo Petro said a U.S. strike in the Caribbean had killed a fisherman. President Trump said he would cut aid and impose new tariffs on Colombian imports.
US strike in Caribbean kills Colombian fisherman, stoking sovereignty row
(October 19, 2025)
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Saturday that the United States had violated Colombia’s sovereignty over its waters and killed a fisherman during its recent anti-drug trafficking military campaign in the Caribbean.
“US government officials have committed murder and violated our sovereignty in our territorial waters. Fisherman Alejandro Carranza had no ties to drug traffickers and his daily activity was fishing,” the leftist leader said on social media.
US assassinated fisherman in Colombian waters, family says
(October 19, 2025)
The US military assassinated at least one fisherman from Colombia’s Caribbean coast and falsely accused him of being a drug trafficker, the alleged victim’s family told public television network RTVC.
In an interview, Audenis Manjarres said that her cousin, Alejandro Carranza, never came home after he went fishing on September 14.
Colombian President Accuses US of ‘Murdering’ Fisherman In Boat Strike
(October 19, 2025)
Colombia‘s president, Gustavo Petro, has accused Washington of „murder“ after the U.S. military struck an alleged drug-trafficking vessel last month.
Petro said the White House had violated the South American country‘s sovereignty and killed a Colombian fisherman, named by the president as Alejandro Carranza. Colombian media reported Carranza was onboard a boat targeted by U.S. forces on September 15.
Venezuelan minister: T&T citizens killed by the US speaks volumes
In the message posted on his X account, Castillo wrote the following: “They ask T&T citizens to stay close to the coast because at sea they can be bombed by their American allies. This is not a joke; it speaks volumes.”
Two T&T citizens were killed last Tuesday by the United States’ Government, following an attack on a vessel sailing in the Caribbean Sea.
The victims were fishermen and lived in Las Cuevas. One of them was identified as 26-year-old Chad Joseph, and the other victim was known as Rishi Samaroo.
Colombia’s Petro Warns Potential US Invasion of Venezuela Could Trigger Regional Fallout
(October 16, 2025)
Petro also reiterated his demand that the United States reveal the identities of the 27 people killed so far in missile strikes on alleged drug-running boats in the Caribbean, amid concerns that Colombian nationals may be among the victims.
Although Washington urged Petro to retract his statements, CNN reported — citing Pentagon sources — that at least one of the attacks had targeted Colombian citizens.
Earlier, Petro had said his government believed Colombians were among those killed in the bombings.
Fishermen terrified following latest US bombing at sea, says Aboud
“People are terrified at the risk of being killed at sea,” he observed. “Personally, I am very upset with our national position of bringing American warships and allowing them to by-pass the judicial process.”
“We have law and order. We are a civilised nation. Yet we have adopted and given blessing to warmongering murderers to come into our territory and kill people outside of the judicial process,” Aboud said.
NGO official confirms two Trinidadians among six killed in US strike near Venezuela
Gary Aboud, secretary of the non-governmental organisation Fishermen and Friends of the Sea, confirmed Thursday that two Trinidad and Tobago nationals were among six people killed following a United States military airstrike on a small vessel in international waters near the coast of Venezuela earlier this week.
“We would like to offer our condolences to the families, friends, children, wives of the deceased. Very, very sorry that they were murdered like this. I am very very sorry,” Aboud said on a radio broadcast Thursday with regards to the killings of Richie Samaroo and Chad “Charpo” Joseph.
Trinidadian Family Says U.S. Military Killed Relative in Boat Attack
Chad Joseph, a 26-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago who had been living in Venezuela in recent months, told his family he would soon be taking a short boat ride back home.
He has yet to return, and now his family fears the worst.
On Thursday, his name spread across social media, with users saying that he was one of six people aboard a suspected drug vessel that had been blown up by the U.S. military this week.
US military drone strike on drug ‚submersible‘ in Caribbean leaves survivors, official confirms
A U.S. military drone strike in the Caribbean on a drug smuggling vessel Thursday left two to three survivors, a U.S. official tells Fox News.
The partially submerged vessel, described by the source as „big,“ was operating in international waters when it was hit.
Israeli Military Attacks Flotilla in International Waters
8 October 2025 – The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) confirm that three boat : Gaza Sunbirds, Alaa Al-Najajr, Anas Al-Sharif, have been attacked and illegally intercepted by the Israeli military at 04:34 at 120 nautical miles (220km) from Gaza.
Sources so far indicate that the unarmed crew aboard, including doctors, journalists, and elected officials, have been abducted, as well as the vital aid worth over $110,000 USD in medicines, respiratory equipment, and nutritional supplies that were destined for Gaza’s starving hospitals. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
“Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard these ships,” David Heap, Canadian Boat to Gaza and Freedom Flotilla Coalition Steering Committee. “This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the ICJ’s binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. Our volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalized for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”
Israel intercepts Freedom Flotilla Coalition vessels en route to Gaza
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) says the Israeli military attacked its convoy of boats and intercepted several vessels as they were sailing towards Gaza.
The FFC said the military had attacked The Conscience – a boat carrying 93 journalists, doctors and activists – before it attacked and intercepted three smaller boats on Wednesday.
Its passengers were “being held in unknown conditions”, it said.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on X that a raid on the flotilla had taken place.
Un mouvement citoyen déterminé à briser le blocus illégal à Gaza.
Face à l’impuissance que nous ressentons et à la participation active de nos gouvernements dans le génocide perpétré par Israël, nous prenons le large, cap vers Gaza.
Nous naviguerons avec autant de bateaux que possibles, autant de fois qu’il le faudra, jusqu’à ce que la Palestine soit libre.
Live from Conscience Boat to Gaza, FFC & TMTG
Started streaming on Oct 6, 2025
Live stream of the Conscience on its way to break the illegal blockade of Gaza.
Freedom Flotilla Coalition & Thousand Madleens to Gaza sailing to break the siege
Started streaming 4 hours ago
Follow the whole flotilla live :
Live 1 : Thousand Madleens : https://youtu.be/dS6p5rVgBuA
Live 2 : FFC Conscience : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSQcb…
Flotilla Tracker : https://thousandmadleens.fr/tracker
The next wave is already being prepared, help us buy the boats and get them ready to sail !
WAVES TO GAZA: FLOTILLA NEARS ORANGE ZONE
A new wave of ships heads towards Gaza to break the siege. Hear from someone onboard.
FFC and Thousand Madleens Launch Next Wave of Boats to Gaza
(September 27, 2025)
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) will launch a flotilla of 10 boats on Saturday, 27 September 2025 from San Giovanni Li Cuti harbour, Catania, Sicily, Italy.
(…)
This wave of boats follows the Madleen, Handala, and the dozens of boats that the FFC has sailed over the past 15 years, as well as the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla — all of which the Israeli military has repeatedly attacked. Together, these civilian missions signal that the demand to end Israel’s blockade cannot be silenced or deterred.
“Every boat we launch is a direct challenge to the blockade and a declaration of solidarity. We sail not as charity, but as part of the global struggle to end apartheid and affirm the right of the Palestinian people to live free.” Joint statement from FFC and TMTG.
ISRAEL‘S CRIMES AGAINST THE GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA HUMANITARIAN ACTIVISTS
The List of Crimes Committed by Israel:
1.Illegal Interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Violation of customary norms of international law as accepted under Articles 19, 88 and 301 of UNCLOS, which requires that states respect the peaceful and safe passage of vessels. Israel does not have the right to intercept civilian vessels according to UNCLOS Article 110 with none of the exceptions under Article 110 (a) – (e) having been engaged.
2. Abduction and arbitrary arrest of participants. Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Prohibition of arbitrary arrests. The activists were not combatants or a military threat. The activists are legitimate citizens participating in a humanitarian mission, neither are they irregular migrants attempting to enter Israel territory contrary to Israeli immigrations laws.
3. Forced transfer to prisons in Israel. Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention: Prohibition of the transfer of civilians from occupied territory. This rule extends to the protection of persons arrested at sea in the context of an armed conflict.
4. Physical violence and inhuman treatment by the use of water cannons against peaceful civilians on high sea contrary to Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions: Prohibition of violence against civilians. Article 5: Prohibition of torture and cruel treatment.
5. Defaming peaceful citizens is a form of illegal stigmatization. Insults, Defamation, and the Slanderous Labeling of „Terrorists“: Right to Dignity (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Art. 1).
6. Unlawful processing of activists as „illegal immigrants“ before the Immigration Authority, court hearings without the presence of lawyers, and coercion into signing a document stating that the participants entered Israel illegally: Violation of the right to a fair trial, liberty, and Security under Article 9 and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
7. Repeated drone attacks by Israel against the Flotilla. Act of aggression against the flag and citizen states, including the illegal use of force, and as a war crime under Article 8 of the Rome statute and violation of 2(4) of the UN Charter as well as infringement of the human rights of the people onboard.
8. Attack of the Vessels and seizure thereof. On the High Seas, the law applying on each ship is the domestic law of its flag state. An attack by an Israeli military warship on a vessel on the High Seas is an attack and infringement of the sovereignty of the flag state. These acts of illegal possession of vessels or abduction of crew on the High Seas can be pursued by each flag state and constitutes a crime within their domestic jurisdiction.
9. Forcibly intercepting and seizing a civilian vessel carrying humanitarian aid for the population of Gaza. Clear reflection of Israel’s unlawful starvation policy, which is prohibited under international humanitarian law and listed as a war crime under Article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Rome Statute. The Israeli blockade over Gaza is unlawful in light of Paragraph 102 of the San Remo Manual, which stipulates the illegality of a blockade if it ‘has the sole purpose of starving the civilian population or denying it other objects essential for its survival’. Israel’s unlawful blockade has been condemned numerous times by the UN bodies and experts, most recently by the UN Commission of Inquiry in August 2025 which concluded that Isreal has committed genocide in Gaza, including by depriving the Palestinian group of objects indispensable for their survival.
Live: Israel begins unlawful interception of Sumud Flotilla vessels
Meanwhile, Italy and Greece call on Israel….
As the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla – the largest initiative of its kind – is expected to enter a high-risk zone in the Mediterranean where Israeli forces may attempt to intercept it as they did before.
The flotilla, carrying urgently needed food, medicine, and humanitarian supplies, set sail after nearly two years of Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza and 18 years of an illegal blockade that has left Palestinians in Gaza deliberately starved and deprived of essentials, as part of Israel‘s ongoing unlawful occupation of the Palestinian territory.
The persistent inaction of states in the face of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has forced activists from across the world to take peaceful measures to break the siege.
States have a responsibility to guarantee the flotilla’s safe passage. They must step up pressure to protect the flotilla and demand an end of Israel‘s genocide, and of its unlawful blockade once and for all.
@gbsumudflotilla: 120nm from Gaza after a night of harassment. If intercepted, delegates will not resist and be abducted. Look at Europe: unable to confront the Mediterranean bully with its navies while ordinary people from 44countries risk everything. Rotten politics killing (Palestine)
Italian navy to stop assisting Gaza flotilla despite fears of Israeli attack
(September 30, 2025)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later reiterated her call for flotilla members to immediately stop their mission, warning that a confrontation with Israel could derail diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
„Many would be happy to disrupt„ a peace plan pushed by US President Donald Trump, Meloni said in a statement. „I fear that the flotilla‘s attempt to breach the Israeli naval blockade could provide a pretext for this.“
Gaza-bound flotilla organizer says Israeli navy failed in interception attempt as ships near Gaza
Israeli warships then tried to penetrate the flotilla from multiple sides to disperse it, but that all ships maneuvered and stayed on course, he said, describing the interception attempts as a test of the flotilla’s resolve: “Even if you stop 47 vessels, the 48th will continue on to Gaza.”
Earlier in the day, a large warship was spotted near the Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla as its organizers reported a state of high alert at sea.
Contact has been restored with the Alma ship after being lost for a short time, said an Al Jazeera correspondent on board the flotilla.
According to the correspondent, an Israeli vessel came within just five feet of the Alma, and jammed all of its communication systems, as well as its engine, rendering them inoperative.
He added that participants on board the Alma threw their phones into the sea in line with the established security protocols.
Italy Sends Second Navy Ship To Guard Gaza Aid Fleet
Defense Minister Crosetto warned activists against insisting on trying to break through an Israeli blockade, urging them to accept Italy‘s proposal to hand over their aid supplies and allow them to be distributed in Gaza by the local Catholic Church.
„We cannot guarantee the safety of our citizens if they enter the territorial waters of other countries,“ explained Defense Minister Crosetto.
Spain to join Italy in deploying naval ship to escort Gaza flotilla
A Spanish naval vessel will join the Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza to provide assistance and, if necessary, conduct rescues, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said. Italy earlier announced it was dispatching a frigate after a night of drone attacks on the humanitarian flotilla opposed by the Israeli government.
Italy sends navy ship to protect Gaza aid flotilla after drone attack
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had asked Israel to ensure the safety of “Italian citizens, along with members of parliament and MEPs [Members of the European Parliament]” among the pro-Palestinian activists.
The ministry had already informed Israel that “any operation entrusted to Israeli forces must be conducted in compliance with international law and the principle of absolute caution,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Minister Tajani has asked the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv to gather information and to reiterate its previous request to the Israeli government to guarantee the absolute protection of the personnel on board,” it added.