Former Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr. Amery Browne has strongly criticized the Trinidad and Tobago (TT) government’s handling of a recent US military strike on an alleged drug boat in international waters, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of two Trinidadians among four others. Browne condemned the government’s approach as reckless and inconsistent with TT’s longstanding principles of international law and diplomacy. He highlighted that the Prime Minister and other ministers had endorsed the strike with aggressive rhetoric, such as ‘Kill them violently,’ without demanding evidence, identification, or assistance in recovering remains. Browne expressed concern that this stance could harm TT’s relationships with regional and international partners, particularly within Caricom and the United Nations. He urged the government to align its foreign policy with the principles of the UN Charter and TT’s commitment to non-intervention in sovereign states’ affairs. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles also voiced concerns, particularly for fishermen in areas like Las Cuevas, who rely on safe waters for their livelihoods. She reiterated the opposition’s stance that the region should remain a ‘zone of peace.’ Former Prime Minister Stuart Young echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of due process and proportionality in addressing narcotics trafficking while maintaining regional stability.
Ex-foreign minister on US strikes: Don’t break the law to uphold the law
