Trinidad doubles down on position regarding US military presence in the region
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday reiterated its reason for standing apart from its CARICOM neighbours in declining to back a regional position on key security and regional stability issues, including the growing presence of the United States military in the region.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs said the Kamla Persad Bissessar-led government “wishes to once more, categorically express its strong support for the ongoing military intervention of the United States of America in the region.
“These operations aimed at combatting narco and human trafficking and other forms of transnational crime are ultimately aimed at allowing the region to be a true 'Zone of Peace' where all citizens can in reality, live and work in a safe environment,” the statement said.
On Saturday, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that CARICOM leaders had met to discuss several issues on the regional agenda, including the security build-up in parts of the Caribbean and its potential impact on member states.
It said that the position at that meeting was not endorsed by the government of the twin-island republic.
The meeting followed a series of deadly strikes by the Donald Trump administration targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels off the Venezuelan coast, the latest of which reportedly claimed the lives of two Trinidad and Tobago nationals.
“Save in respect of Trinidad and Tobago who reserved its position, Heads agreed on the following: They reaffirmed the principle of maintaining the Caribbean Region as a Zone of Peace and the importance of dialogue and engagement towards the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflict. “CARICOM remains willing to assist towards that objective,” the CARICOM statement read.
The regional leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to tackling narcotrafficking and the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons, which continue to pose major threats to regional stability. They stressed that such challenges must be addressed through ongoing international cooperation and in keeping with international law.
Additionally, CARICOM leaders reiterated their continued commitment to fighting narcotrafficking and the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons, which adversely affect the region. They further underscored that efforts to overcome these challenges should be through ongoing international cooperation and within international law.
On Sunday, the US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that his country had conducted a strike Friday on a boat that American intelligence officials believed was involved in illegal drug trafficking in the Caribbean.
Hegseth wrote in a post on X that the vessel was affiliated with a Colombian terrorist organisation and had “substantial amounts of narcotics” on board. He said the three men on the boat were all killed and no US forces were harmed.
In its statement on Sunday, Port of Spain said that the Trinidad and Tobago government “affirms that these operations are not meant to target law abiding persons, specifically fisherfolk and other seafaring individuals seeking to earn an honest living.
“Alternatively, all persons who may seek to engage in, or indirectly support, any illegal activities in the region, are warned that should they be so inclined, they do so at their own peril.
“The Government of Trinidad and Tobago reiterates its commitment to the people of the Caribbean for the creation of a safer, stronger and more prosperous region,” the statement added.
Prime Minister Persad Bissessar has publicly praised the US campaign, saying she was happy that the US naval deployment “is having success in its mission.
“The slaughter of our people is fuelled by evil cartel traffickers. The pain and suffering the cartels have inflicted on our nation is immense. I have no sympathy for traffickers; the US military should kill them all violently,” she said in a statement last month.
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