The Chagos Archipelago: America’s Dark Legacy of Forced Relocation
Many believe that Donald Trump’s ideas are extreme, particularly his intentions for the Gaza Strip. However, there is much more depth to this perspective than simply labeling him as “crazy.” Let’s look back at a dark chapter in history that reveals just how far the U.S. has gone to exert its control over vulnerable populations.
How the U.S. Executed One of the Worst Forced Relocations of the 20th Century
In 1965, the United States set its sights on a strategically vital area in the Indian Ocean: the Chagos Archipelago. However, two major problems arose regarding how the U.S. could seize this territory without attracting international condemnation.
Problem 1: Sovereignty of the Islands
The Chagos Archipelago was part of Mauritius, a nation under British control. What was the solution? The United States secretly negotiated with Britain and Mauritius, leading to an agreement that would allow Britain to grant Mauritius independence in exchange for the cession of the Chagos Islands. In return, the U.S. offered Britain much-needed military technology, such as Polaris submarines.
The deal was kept under wraps, with the President of Mauritius publicly asserting sovereignty over the islands, while privately receiving a payment of three million dollars for relinquishing control.
Problem 2: The Inhabitants of Chagos
The real issue lay with the inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, numbering in the thousands. How could the United States deal with them? Forced relocation was a blatant violation of international law, but did the U.S. care? Certainly not.
Under President Lyndon Johnson’s administration, a commission was formed, led by Admiral Gratham, in collaboration with British Admiral Sir Greatbatch. Together, they began a terrifying plan to forcefully relocate the Chagossian people, many of whom refused to leave voluntarily.
🔗 Chagos Archipelago Wikipedia
The Brutal Methods of Relocation
The U.S. and Britain deployed 30 warships to the shores of the Chagos Islands, imposing a crushing economic blockade. They cut off access to water, electricity, and food supplies, preventing any ships from reaching the islands. Thousands of soldiers were stationed across the islands to carry out daily raids and terrorize the local population.
But the horror did not stop there.
The Chagossians relied heavily on dogs for hunting and herding, so what did the Americans do? They rounded up the dogs, set fires, and roasted them alive in front of their owners. Those who resisted were tied up and thrown into the flames with their pets.
All livestock and poultry were confiscated and destroyed, leaving the population with no source of food. Those who dared to remain faced the most brutal forms of torture, including drowning.
🔗 History of Forced Relocation
A Desperate Escape to a Life of Misery
After months of terror, starvation, and torture, the remaining residents were forcibly gathered at the port and compelled to board British and American warships. But their journey did not lead to a better life. It led to death.
The sick and elderly were selected by the Americans, tied up, and thrown into the Indian Ocean to be devoured by sharks. Over 400 people were cast into the sea, while the remaining survivors were transported to Britain and other countries, where they were left homeless, without citizenship, and driven to despair.
After the forced relocation, the U.S. began constructing the Diego Garcia Military Base, which became one of the most important American military bases, used extensively in conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Gulf.
Chagos: A Repeated Crime Today in Gaza
What happened in the Chagos Archipelago was not an isolated incident; it is a model for forced relocation crimes that have been repeated throughout history.
Trump’s proposal for Gaza is not an outlier in U.S. foreign policy, but rather a reflection of America’s long-standing practices of invasion, pillaging, and the extermination of indigenous populations. While decades have passed since the Chagossians were displaced, they still have not received justice, proving that international laws alone are insufficient in the face of power.
Today, the plan for Gaza bears a disturbing resemblance to Chagos. The American agenda is to create beachfront properties, tourist areas, and military bases while relocating the indigenous people to neighboring countries, just as they did with the Chagossians.
When Trump was asked about the legitimacy of this plan, he simply replied:
“We have decided, and we will implement it.”
The lesson here is clear: only power can impose its will. International condemnations and protests are meaningless to the U.S., a country that respects only strength.
