Trinidad and Tobago (TT) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has emphasized the country’s unique challenges in combating narco-trafficking, human trafficking, and weapons smuggling, distinguishing it from other Caribbean nations. Speaking to reporters outside the Red House on October 25, she highlighted TT’s geographical proximity to South America as a key factor in its heightened vulnerability to these crimes. Persad-Bissessar welcomed the presence of the US military in the region, including the USS Gravely, a guided-missile destroyer scheduled to dock in Port of Spain on October 26. She stressed that TT’s reality of being “crime-ridden, drug-ridden, cartel-ridden, and gang-ridden” necessitates a distinct approach to security. While Caricom has declared the Caribbean a “zone of peace,” TT stands apart due to its severe crime rates, including over 600 murders last year. Persad-Bissessar criticized former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley’s support for the zone of peace declaration, attributing his stance to his administration’s failure to address rising crime. The US military’s deployment, including the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, aims to combat drug cartels and stem the flow of drugs from South America. US Embassy Charge D’Affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz underscored the long-standing US-TT partnership in addressing transnational crime through training, humanitarian missions, and security efforts. However, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles expressed concerns over TT’s role in the US military presence, while Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused the US of fabricating a war narrative against his country.
PM: Trinidad and Tobago not in zone of peace …welcomes US help crushing narco-traffickers
