Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Donna Scott-Mottley on Saturday (October 18) expressed grave concern following reports of US military strikes against vessels in Caribbean waters, which have resulted in the death of dozens, including two Trinidadians.

Two additional persons of undisclosed nationality survived the latest maritime strike and have since been detained by the US Navy.

Earlier in September, the Donald Trump administration deployed US warships, along with one nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, in international waters just off the coast of Venezuela.

Warning that these actions threaten the sovereignty of the region and the security of its people, the opposition senator said, “The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has long promoted the vision of this region as a Zone of Peace”.

“That principle is not symbolic. It is a binding commitment to peaceful coexistence, respect for sovereignty, and strict adherence to international law. The reported use of armed drones and lethal force in our waters without transparency or judicial process represents a direct threat to that commitment,” she added.

Scott-Mottley noted that fisherfolk and coastal communities across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean are now deeply unsettled, with many expressing fear that they could be misidentified or caught in the crossfire of military operations.

“Our people are entitled to pursue their livelihoods free from the shadow of militarisation,” she continued. “These waters sustain life and commerce; they are not to be transformed into a theatre of war. We cannot remain silent in the face of actions that compromise sovereignty, human rights, and the rule of law.”

The shadow minister argued that CARICOM has always chosen diplomacy and cooperation over force, emphasising that the region’s tradition of non-alignment and peaceful dispute resolution is one of its greatest strengths.

To safeguard this legacy, Senator Scott-Mottley is calling on Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in his capacity as chairman of CARICOM, to immediately initiate the process of consultation among member states with a view to forging a unified regional response. She outlined the urgent priorities for CARICOM to consider:

• A clear reaffirmation by all CARICOM member states of the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.
• Full respect for international legal norms, including the right to life, due process, and the sovereignty of states.

“The Caribbean cannot afford to normalise extrajudicial actions in its waters,” Senator Scott-Mottley concluded. “As a region, we must stand together to ensure that the principles of peace, sovereignty, and international law continue to guide our future.”