Trinidad and Tobago’s Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander has vigorously defended the recent deployment of radar technology in Tobago, asserting that additional systems should be implemented nationwide to enhance security measures. The minister’s comments came during a December 9 media briefing outside Parliament, addressing heightened security concerns following the abduction of businessman Derek Tardieu and his wife Clarabelle from their Monos Island residence on December 6.
The couple remains missing with kidnappers demanding a $2.5 million ransom for their release. Minister Alexander emphasized that advanced radar technology could substantially improve protection for citizens residing in the archipelago’s outlying islands. “We must take a definitive stance against such criminal activities,” Alexander stated. “These perpetrators potentially arrived by vessel… to abduct citizens of our nation.”
Rejecting a return to normalcy amid ongoing security challenges, Alexander revealed, “We witness similar incidents daily with unauthorized vessels entering our waters undetected. This precisely why we’re strategically deploying cutting-edge technology to prevent such occurrences.” The minister expressed personal commitment to encircling the nation with protective technologies if given sole authority.
When questioned about potential United States military utilization of the radar system amid tensions with Venezuela, Alexander remained evasive, noting only that Trinidad and Tobago would “benefit from the situation” regarding foreign entities entering the country with malicious intent. Pressed on data-sharing arrangements, the minister described all operations as “joint ventures in and around TT” without providing specific details.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, separately addressing journalists, redirected technical inquiries to Defense Minister Wayne Sturge. While confirming Trinidadian military personnel access to radar data, she acknowledged unspecified external parties might have access but deemed such information potentially “too sensitive for public disclosure.” The Prime Minister emphasized that Minister Sturge possesses the comprehensive details regarding data-sharing protocols.