Government has reaffirmed that the February 2026 disappearance of fishermen at sea has been handled responsibly, following intense questioning of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre during the closing press conference of the 51st CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting on Wednesday.
It said on Thursday that the matter has been managed in accordance with established procedures and with consideration for the affected families.
The statement came a day after an exchange between Pierre and Al Jazeera senior correspondent Josh Rushing, who questioned the prime minister about the disappearance of Saint Lucian fisherman Ricky Joseph and another missing man.
Rushing said he had spent the week in Saint Lucia investigating the case, and that the network’s investigation concluded that “all evidence points” to the men having been killed in a United States boat strike on February 13, 2026.
He described the alleged deaths as “extrajudicial killings” and said experts had characterised them as murder. Rushing asked Pierre what justice should look like for the families if the allegations were proven true, and whether the United States had “immunity” to kill citizens in Caribbean territories.
Those claims have not been independently confirmed by Saint Lucian authorities. Because no bodies have been recovered, police continue to treat the matter as a missing persons investigation.
In its statement, the government said that in matters involving missing persons, next of kin are the persons recognised under the law for official communication and engagement.
The government added that the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has been in contact with relevant authorities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as it seeks to obtain and verify information surrounding the case.
“To date, there has been no confirmation of the recovery of any bodies connected to the missing individuals,” the statement said.
The government said Pierre remains concerned about the welfare of the affected families and recognises the distress and uncertainty they continue to experience.
It said authorities will continue to engage with next of kin, liaise with relevant agencies and ensure that verified facts guide public statements on the matter.
While responding to Rushing’s questions on Wednesday, Pierre said, “We are very concerned about the loss of life for anybody. We’ve requested information from the United States, and we’ve not gotten any information as to what happened.”
He said authorities were continuing their efforts to determine what had happened.
“Our own law enforcement is trying its best to decipher what happened,” he said.
The exchange became more pointed when Rushing questioned whether Pierre had met with the families. Pierre rejected any suggestion that his administration was indifferent to their concerns.
“These families are our people. They are my people. I’m very concerned about them. I’m sure more than you. They are my people,” the prime minister insisted.
Clueless Primeminister ! What a shame !.
PM Pierre, you are absolutely correct. These ppl who are talking bad of you, if it was them or their leader, thy would have not known what to say.
Anonymous be ashame of yourself instead.
on a serious note we can bark all we wanted continue to vote for them .. these possies!
What is the answer? Mr. PM, did you meet the families of the fishermen?
Most competent governments around the world via their Foreign Minister’s office would not hesitate to file a formal diplomatic protest against any country who murder their citizens without probable cause.
In the case of St. Lucia’s government now under the control of a corrupt, incompetent and coward SLP Prime Minister(PM) in concert with the ignorant President of the Republic of Laborie as external Minister, the govern rather choose disinformation when question about the fate of St. Lucian fisherman’s extrajudicial killing in territorial waters on February 13, 2026.
Almost five months later an Al Jazeera reporter questioned the PM as to whether he or anyone from his Government had reached out to the victim’s wife and children with any assistance, The PM defaulted to his corrupt government attack mode by trying to discredit the messenger.
To all the voters who foolishly voted for this present government, you reap what you sow!!
With all due respect whether you agree or disagree – the Al Jazeera reporter’s question was on point and legitimate. By the way – I am neither SLP nor UWP. In fact, I left St. Lucia decades ago because of politics even though I was not old enough to vote and had never voted in St. Lucia – I was denied a job because of my grandmother’s political affiliation.
I knew immediately at that time that I needed to leave St. Lucia. Why – I literally heard the interviewer/director say in the back of the office of the government building. Although she passed the test, we can not give her the job because her grandmother is a ??? and she mentioned the political party. I will never forget that encounter. Godspeed
How is Pierre you’all attacking and not Trump ?
Is Pierre responsable for lost of lives or is he the Watchman for every individuelle or personne ?