Background on the Incident
On or around September 2, 2025, the U.S. military conducted a missile strike on a small vessel in the southern Caribbean Sea, killing all 11 people aboard. The U.S. claimed it targeted drug traffickers linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. Debris washed up in Trinidadian waters, and two unidentified bodies were recovered on Trinidad’s north-eastern coast (e.g., Balandra Beach) by September 7, 2025. The strike’s location—potentially in Trinidad’s territorial waters (12 nautical miles under UNCLOS)—sparked controversy, with Venezuela alleging a sovereignty violation.
Persad-Bissessar’s Role and “Allowing” the Incident
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who returned to power in May 2025, vocally supported the U.S. strike, praising it as a blow against drug trafficking and stating, “I have no sympathy for traffickers” and “the US military should kill them all violently.” She refused Colombian President Petro’s call for humanitarian searches, limiting efforts to bodies that “wash ashore.” Some geopolitical experts have condemned Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for acting outside of Caricom
Why She Could Be Considered a War Criminal
Allegations of Persad-Bissessar being a “war criminal” stem from her support for the U.S. strike and refusal to investigate potential civilian deaths, potentially violating international humanitarian law (IHL) and UNCLOS.
Counterarguments
Defenders argue Persad-Bissessar’s actions prioritize national security and lack direct evidence of war crimes.
Why She Does Not Deserve the S.C. Title
As a Senior Counsel, Persad-Bissessar is expected to uphold international law. Critics argue her endorsement of extrajudicial killings and sovereignty breaches shows ignorance or disregard for UNCLOS and IHL, undermining her credentials.