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THE family of one of the Trinidadian nationals allegedly killed in a US military airstrike on October 14 are seeking closure, but international law expert Dr Safiya Ali believes any such move would require the political and diplomatic will of local authorities.

In September, the US military, which has been amassing in the Caribbean against what it called Venezuela's narco-terrorism, began bombing small boats at sea that it believed were facilitating the illicit activity. There have since been five such attacks, killing 27 people.

There have also been unconfirmed reports of a sixth strike on October 16. This time, unamed US officials have claimed that some of the boats occupants survived the attack.