Kathmandu— A year after President Donald Trump launched his boat strike campaign in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, families of missing fishermen continue to search for answers. The US military has carried out dozens of bombings against unidentified vessels since September 2025, killing over 220 people it labels as 'narcoterrorists'. However, family members like Rayshawn Charlery fear their loved ones were innocent fishermen.

Missing Fishermen

Rayshawn Charlery's father, Joseph “Nathy” William, went fishing on February 13 and never returned. Ricky Joseph, another fisherman who also disappeared that day, was the sole breadwinner for his family. Both families suspect their loved ones were killed in one of the US military strikes, but they have not received any confirmation from authorities.

Lack of Transparency

The US government has not published the names of those killed or provided public evidence to justify the attacks. Local police and Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J Pierre say there is no information from the United States about what happened to the missing fishermen. The remains of a boat believed to be Joseph and William's were found, but experts say justice may still be difficult to come by.

Legal Challenges

Experts argue that the strikes likely amount to extrajudicial killings, which are illegal under international law. At least two legal challenges are being heard against the boat bombing campaign. One case is led by families of Trinidadian men who disappeared after a strike in October 2025, and another concerns Colombian fisherman Alejandro Carranza.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

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Originally published on abcnews.com.np.