State of the World from NPR The Impact of U.S. Strikes in the Caribbean
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Oct 27, 2025 Eder Peralta, an NPR correspondent who reported from Trinidad and Tobago, highlights the tensions surrounding U.S. military operations in the Caribbean. Locals express their fears as drones hover overhead and U.S. strikes impact their fishing livelihoods. Peralta questions the justification for these actions, with residents skeptical about claims of targeting drug boats. They also share personal stories of loss, including a family mourning a loved one presumed dead from a strike, illustrating the human toll of geopolitical maneuvers.
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Fishermen Fear Drones And Strikes
- Fishermen in Las Cuevas report hearing drones and avoiding the water at night due to fear of strikes.
- Renew Roberts says many people no longer go out to fish because they worry U.S. forces might mistake them for drug runners.
Local Doubts Over Targeting Logic
- Locals question U.S. casualty counts and targeting logic, noting drug runners wouldn't carry many passengers.
- Renew Roberts worries the U.S. might misidentify ordinary fishermen as traffickers, increasing civilian risk at sea.
Military Buildup Suggests Bigger Strategy
- The U.S. frames the operation as counter-narcotics but locals and analysts see broader military signaling in the Caribbean.
- David Abdullah warns the deployment of bombers, destroyers, and 10,000 troops suggests aims beyond stopping speedboat drug runners.