The United States has expanded its anti-drug operations at sea, with allied support, after recording 227 deaths in the Caribbean and the Pacific. The White House claims, without presenting evidence, that the vessels struck were carrying illicit drugs destined for the US. The operations are carried out by American Armed Forces against boats in the region.
Among the victims are men of various nationalities who lived from fishing or modest work in coastal cities. The Venezuelan Eduardo Hidalgo, deported from the US, had just returned to working as a fisherman in Güiria, Venezuela. In the same locality, his namesake Eduardo Jaime was a well-liked soccer player. The Colombian Alejandro Medina lived from tuna fishing in La Guajira, and his family now receives threats.
The Venezuelan Juan Carlos Fuentes left for Trinidad and Tobago after becoming unemployed. In a message sent to his wife, he stated that he would "do the wrong thing to solve life." The Ecuadorian Pedro Holguín, a fisherman from Manta, had his body identified with the help of the Ecuadorian Embassy in Costa Rica, where his remains were taken.
All these men were killed in attacks by American Armed Forces on vessels in the Caribbean or the Pacific, according to the narrative presented in the article.
