In a striking geopolitical alert, former Jamaican ambassador Curtis Ward has issued a grave warning that Trinidad and Tobago has become a potential military target due to its unequivocal alignment with United States operations against Venezuela. The seasoned diplomat, who previously served as Jamaica’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, contends that the twin-island nation has dangerously elevated its status from security partner to active collaborator in Washington’s regime change strategy.
Ward’s analysis, published in a sharply critical December 26 commentary, asserts that the installation of a US military radar system at Piarco International Airport has effectively transformed vital civilian infrastructure into a legitimate military objective. Contrary to official claims of maritime monitoring purposes, Ward maintains the system functions as an integrated component of anti-missile warfare networks that would become a priority target for Venezuelan forces in any escalation.
The former ambassador particularly criticized Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s administration for what he characterized as placing “a military target on the backs of the country and the people.” He projected that Trinidad and Tobago could suffer disproportionate casualties compared to American interests in potential conflict scenarios, with the nation’s economy and infrastructure facing existential threats.
Beyond the immediate national security concerns, Ward delivered a sweeping indictment of Caribbean leadership broadly, accusing regional governments of cowardice in confronting Washington’s policies. He noted a conspicuous absence of diplomatic opposition to US actions, suggesting most CARICOM leaders remain silent due to fears of retaliation from the Trump administration. This climate of apprehension, Ward argued, has compromised regional sovereignty and dignity while pushing the Caribbean basin toward destabilizing military confrontation.
Despite the alarming assessment, Ward emphasized that armed conflict remains avoidable. He called upon Caribbean citizens, governments, and the Trinidad and Tobago diaspora to advocate vigorously for peaceful dialogue and de-escalation, maintaining that “war is not the answer, war is not the only option, and war is not inevitable.”
The warning comes amid Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar’s public endorsement of US naval operations targeting drug trafficking vessels from Venezuela, which she claims have already yielded positive impacts on regional security.