Families Sue U.S. Over Deadly Boat Strike Off Venezuela

Lawsuit alleges 'lawless killings' of two civilians in Trump administration's anti-drug campaign

Jan. 27, 2026 at 4:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The families of two Trinidadian men killed in a U.S. missile strike against a suspected drug boat near Venezuela have filed a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging the pair were murdered in a 'manifestly unlawful' military campaign targeting civilian vessels. The lawsuit, filed in Boston's federal court, marks the first court challenge to one of the 36 U.S. missile strikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean authorized by the Trump administration that have killed more than 120 people since September.

Why it matters

The case could provide a legal avenue to assess the legality of the Trump administration's aggressive anti-drug campaign, which has drawn scrutiny from Congress and condemnation from human rights groups who argue the strikes violate international law by targeting civilians outside of armed conflict.

The details

The lawsuit was filed by Lenore Burnley, the mother of victim Chad Joseph, and Sallycar Korasingh, the sister of victim Rishi Samaroo. The two men were among six killed in an October 14 strike, which the plaintiffs say occurred as the men were returning to their homes in Las Cuevas, Trinidad after doing fishing and farm work in Venezuela. The lawsuit alleges the killings amounted to 'murder' and 'extrajudicial killing' under international law, arguing the men were not taking part in any military hostilities against the U.S.

  • The October 14 strike killed six people, including Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo.
  • The lawsuit was filed on January 27, 2026.

The players

Lenore Burnley

The mother of victim Chad Joseph.

Sallycar Korasingh

The sister of victim Rishi Samaroo.

Baher Azmy

A lawyer for the plaintiffs at the Center for Constitutional Rights.

Pete Hegseth

The U.S. Defense Secretary who directed the attacks.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President who authorized the 36 missile strikes on vessels.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“These are lawless killings in cold blood; killings for sport and killings for theater, which is why we need a court of law to proclaim what is true and constrain what is lawless.”

— Baher Azmy, Lawyer for the plaintiffs (Center for Constitutional Rights)

“If the U.S. government believed Rishi had done anything wrong, it should have arrested, charged, and detained him, not murdered him. They must be held accountable.”

— Sallycar Korasingh (Statement)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed and potentially assess the legality of the U.S. missile strikes under international law.

The takeaway

This lawsuit represents a legal challenge to the Trump administration's aggressive anti-drug campaign, which has been criticized for allegedly violating international law by targeting civilian vessels outside of armed conflict. The outcome could have significant implications for the U.S. government's authority to conduct such operations in the future.