Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Trinidadian Families Sue Trump Over High Seas Deaths

1/27/2026

34 7

Summary

Story summary

Families of Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo, two Trinidadian men, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. administration led by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The suit, the first legal challenge to the administration's actions in international waters, cites the Death on the High Seas Act and the Alien Tort Statute and alleges the strikes were unlawful.
The plaintiffs deny that either man was involved with drug cartels.

History

Historical Context

The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA), enacted in 1920, allows families to seek damages for wrongful deaths occurring beyond U.S. territorial waters. Initially prompted by the Titanic disaster in 1912, the Act has faced scrutiny and legal challenges, including a recent lawsuit by families of victims of U.S. military strikes, potentially reshaping accountability standards for military actions in international waters.

1 of 2

Story summary

Families of Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo, two Trinidadian men, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. administration led by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The suit, the first legal challenge to the administration's actions in international waters, cites the Death on the High Seas Act and the Alien Tort Statute and alleges the strikes were unlawful.
The plaintiffs deny that either man was involved with drug cartels.

1 / 2