Family of Trini allegedly killed in US strike: Authorities have deserted us

The family of Chad Joseph, a TT national who is believed to have been killed when US forces bombed a boat off Venezuela’s coast, say they feel as though the authorities have deserted them.

Joseph’s family claims he was among six men who died on October 14, when the US government claimed its military destroyed a boat which it alleged was transporting drug traffickers.

It was the fifth such missile strike by the US in its offensive against alleged narco-traffickers in the southern Caribbean.

US president Donald Trump, without providing evidence, said after the strike that six “narco-terrorists” had been killed.

He added “intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics” and was “associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks.”

Joseph’s family has since said he and another Trinidadian known as "Samaroo" were aboard the vessel but deny his involvement in crime.

Joseph’s aunt, Lynette Burnley, admitted he had “served a little time in jail,” but said that was the result of a youthful error.

“That was a long time ago. He was really young when that happened. He served time in jail, but he wasn’t involved in that life any more.”

She said he only had a criminal record because he was led astray by friends.

“You know young children don’t want to hear anything and they get caught up with the wrong friends.”

She questioned why this information had surfaced now despite him turning his life around.

“They just want to pull up that and dirty his character again because, because they want to say it's drugs and all kind of things. But he wasn’t involved in that.

“He changed his life and was normal. He never get caught up with them kind of things again.”

She painted a picture of a young man who lived like any other 26-year-old and enjoyed liming with his friends and family.

“He will drink and lime. And he's a friendly man who is always for his family.”

“Chad will give anybody his last dollar. He looks out for his friends and is a very decent boy.”

Burnley said no government or police representative had spoken with the family since the news emerged that Joseph may have been on the boat.

“Up to now, nobody show up to let the family know anything that’s going on.”

“I feel like they deserted us. Because social media and people from all over the world giving us support and we own people right here, in the government and police and whatever, are not.

She said the family was still in denial and had to rely on social media and foreigners, rather than state officials, for information.

“They ain't coming and telling we nothing, or saying nothing. Nobody never show their face up to now.”

Minister: Nothing for police to act on

In an interview with i95.5FM on October 17, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander said his ministry had no information about the incident other than what had been revealed in media reports.

He said relatives should speak to the police as soon as possible.

"That is the first thing they should have done… As it is right now, there is nothing to work with – absolutely nothing."

Acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin said police went to Las Cuevas to try to locate and speak with Joseph’s family on October 16, but were unable to unable to find any family members to get any further information.

He, too, urged Joseph’s family to file a missing person report so the police can officially begin helping in whatever way they can.

He added right now there is nothing for the police to officially act on.

“We are trying to get information on what was alleged, and as soon we get that we can act, but right now we have nothing to substantiate those claims or even give a level of psychosocial support from the Victim and Witness Support Unit.”

He said in the meantime, police would continue to look into the matter and try to contact relatives so they can launch an official investigation.

Burnley said the family was unaware they needed to do file a report and said she would speak to Joseph’s mother about doing so.

Joseph’s family is also still hurting over comments by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar regarding the US bombing of boats in the region.

Last month, Persad-Bissessar expressed support for one of the strikes saying she had “no sympathy for traffickers” and that the US forces should “kill them all violently.”

Burnley said there was a feeling in the family that the Prime Minister’s comment contributed to their relative’s death.

“How could our government could side with them to do that? I will never side with that. That is out of order!”

Burnley said, although they had no definitive proof Joseph was aboard the vessel, information available to them is convincing enough for them to be worried.

“He let people know that he was coming home that day. Then we heard about the boat that had been blown up, and people in Venezuela also told us he was coming on a boat and it got shoot up.”

She said although the family was hopeful Joseph either survived or was never on the boat, they still hosted a memorial for him on October 16.

Burnley added a priest was also expected to visit the family’s home next week to pray with them for him.

There has since been a sixth incident in which US forces attacked a vessel it claimed was carrying illegal drugs.

US authorities have said the most recent incident, on October 16, involved a drug-trafficking submarine and two survivors had been captured.