Ex-Prime Minister Condemns US Drone Operations, Calling Them A Threat To Regional Sovereignty

Former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson has delivered a severe caution regarding recent United States drone strikes against vessels in Caribbean seas, labeling these actions a “fundamentally dangerous and horrible erosion” of the region's dedication to shared sovereignty. His remarks follow the confirmation of at least five such military strikes by the US since early September, actions that Patterson argues undermine the Caribbean's essential identity as a peaceful region.The US administration, under President Donald Trump, asserts these strikes were aimed at vessels believed to be transporting illegal drugs to America. Official reports indicate that these operations have resulted in 27 fatalities, with the latest incident on October 14 claiming six lives.Patterson, who served as Jamaica's prime minister from 1992 to 2006, articulated deep apprehension, describing the situation as both “frightening” and perilous. He emphasized the urgent need for Caribbean governments to convene and adopt a unified stance, pointing to historical precedents like the 1997 Shiprider Agreement as a basis for collective action.