The Colombian islands of San Andrés and Providence have become caught in the US drug war airstrikes, devastating the local English-speaking Raizal fishing community. While officially part of Colombia, these Caribbean islands speak Creole English and rely on emerald waters for fishing and tourism. Yet these same waters now serve as mass graves for local fishers, according to Edgar Jay Stephens, president of the I-Fish association.
Background: The Raizal People and Their Language
The Raizal people, of African heritage, speak a distinct variety of Caribbean English. Their brightly painted wooden houses and verandas reflect Caribbean and southern US architecture. For generations, they have depended on fishing and tourism.
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Drug Trafficking and Recruitment
Due to the islands' strategic location between South and North America, young Raizal men with seafaring skills have been recruited by drug cartels to move cocaine northward. This growing involvement has escalated since the US began bombing speedboats allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
UN Condemnation of Airstrikes
The United Nations has condemned the airstrikes as extrajudicial killings, reporting 215 deaths since September. At least 16 fishers from San Andrés and Providence have disappeared since January. Stephens notes that some may have carried drugs, but not all.
Impact on Fishing Community
The disappearances have been a decades-long problem, but the current pace is unprecedented. Fishers fear going to sea, disrupting local livelihoods.
| Aspect | Before Airstrikes | After Airstrikes |
|---|---|---|
| Missing fishers per year | 2-3 | 16 in 4 months |
| Fishing activity | Regular | Reduced due to fear |
| Community trust in authorities | Moderate | Low |
Key Takeaways
- US drug war airstrikes in the Caribbean have killed over 200 people, including innocent fishers.
- The Raizal community on Colombian islands faces language and cultural isolation.
- Fishing, a traditional livelihood, is threatened by violence and recruitment by drug traffickers.
- The UN has called for halting extrajudicial killings.
FAQ
Why are San Andrés and Providence English-speaking?
The islands were colonized by English-speaking settlers and later by Afro-Caribbean people, leading to a Creole English dialect still spoken by the Raizal majority today.
What is the Raizal people?
The Raizal are an Afro-descendant ethnic group native to the Colombian Caribbean islands, with a distinct culture, language, and history tied to fishing and maritime trade.
How have US airstrikes affected local fishers?
Airstrikes targeting drug speedboats have killed and disappeared fishers, many innocent, causing fear and economic collapse in the fishing community.
The situation highlights the human cost of the drug war on marginalized communities. For more insights, stay tuned to GrandGoldman.com.
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