A lawsuit has been filed against the Trump administration for the killing of two Trinidadian men in a recent airstrike in the Caribbean. The families of the victims are seeking justice and accountability for the “manifestly unlawful” killings that have left their loved ones dead.
The incident occurred on May 4th, when a boat carrying 20 people, including the two men, was struck by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) aircraft in the waters off the coast of Venezuela. The boat, which was reportedly heading towards Trinidad, was mistaken for a drug trafficking vessel and was fired upon by the CBP aircraft. The two men, identified as 35-year-old Jason Forde and 27-year-old Nicholas Sylvester, were killed in the attack.
This tragic incident has sparked outrage and condemnation from the families of the victims, as well as human rights groups and activists. The families have come together to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration, holding them accountable for the deaths of their loved ones. The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., accuses the CBP of using excessive force and violating the victims’ rights to due process and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.
The families are seeking justice for the “unjustifiable and inexcusable” use of force by the CBP, which has resulted in the loss of innocent lives. In a statement, the families’ lawyer, Marissa Jaeger-Sanders, said, “The U.S. government cannot continue to act with impunity and disregard the lives of innocent civilians in its pursuit of drug interdiction.” She further added, “There is no excuse for the use of lethal force in this situation and the families are seeking justice for the wrongful deaths of their loved ones.”
The lawsuit also highlights the lack of transparency and accountability from the CBP and the Trump administration. The families and their lawyer have expressed their frustration with the lack of information and cooperation from the U.S. government regarding the incident. They are demanding a thorough and independent investigation into the matter to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
The families of the victims are not alone in their fight for justice. Human rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), have also condemned the attack and are supporting the families in their pursuit of justice. They have called for an end to the use of excessive force by the CBP and for greater transparency and accountability from the U.S. government.
This incident is not an isolated one. It is a part of a larger pattern of violence and disregard for human rights by the U.S. government in its pursuit of the so-called “war on drugs.” The families of the victims are determined to bring attention to this issue and hold the U.S. government accountable for its actions.
The families’ lawyer has stated that this lawsuit is not just about seeking justice for the two men who lost their lives, but also about sending a message to the U.S. government that the lives of innocent civilians cannot be sacrificed in the name of the “war on drugs.” The families are seeking justice and accountability, but they also hope that their fight will bring about much-needed change in the way the U.S. government conducts its drug interdiction efforts.
In the face of this tragedy, the families of the victims have shown incredible strength and perseverance. They have refused to let the deaths of their loved ones go unnoticed and are determined to seek justice and hold the U.S. government accountable for its actions. This lawsuit is a step towards bringing justice and closure to the families, and it is also a reminder to the U.S. government that it cannot continue to act with impunity. The lives of innocent civilians must be valued and protected, and those responsible for their deaths must be held accountable.
