Trump's drug war airstrikes in the Caribbean have devastated the fishing communities of the English-speaking Colombian islands of San Andrés and Providence, leaving at least 16 fishers missing since January and turning emerald waters into ‘mass graves.’
The Raizal People and Their Language
Officially part of Colombia, the islands are home to the Raizal people, an Afro-descendant population whose primary language is a Caribbean English Creole, not Spanish. Their brightly painted wooden houses and verandas reflect a culture more akin to the southern US or other Caribbean islands.
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Drug Trafficking Recruitment
Young men with seafaring skills have long been recruited by drug cartels to move cocaine northward. This trend has accelerated dramatically since the US began bombing speedboats allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. According to UN reports, the airstrikes have killed 215 people since September, with the UN condemning them as “extrajudicial killings.”
Impact on Local Fishers
Edgar Jay Stephens, president of the main local fishers association I-Fish, reports that at least 16 fishers from San Andrés and Providence have gone missing since January. While some may have been involved in drug transport, Stephens insists “certainly not all” were. The disappearances are not new, but the current pace is unprecedented. The US Southern Command, which conducts the airstrikes, stated it has no information of any civilian casualties.
| Aspect | Before Airstrikes | After Airstrikes (2023-2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Missing fishers per year | ~5-10 | 16+ (Jan-Sept) |
| Reported deaths from airstrikes | 0 | 215 |
| UN condemnation | None | ‘Extrajudicial killings’ |
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s drug war airstrikes have escalated in the Caribbean, targeting speedboats.
- San Andrés and Providence islands’ Raizal fishermen are disproportionately affected.
- At least 16 fishers missing since January 2025; UN condemns airstrikes as extrajudicial.
- Local communities fear the waters have become ‘mass graves.’
FAQ
Why are the Colombian islands English-speaking?
The islands of San Andrés and Providence have a majority Raizal population—descendants of African slaves and English settlers—who speak a Caribbean English Creole as their first language. Spanish is official but not predominant locally.
How many fishers have gone missing?
At least 16 fishers from San Andrés and Providence have disappeared since January 2025, according to Edgar Jay Stephens of the I-Fish association.
What is the UN's stance on the airstrikes?
The United Nations has condemned the US airstrikes as “extrajudicial killings,” noting that 215 people have been killed since September 2024, including possible innocent fishers.
The situation on these Colombian islands highlights the humanitarian cost of US anti-drug operations. As local leaders call for accountability, the families of missing fishers continue to search for answers.
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