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The USS Gravely, a prominent US naval warship, arrived at the Port of Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago on October 26 for a five-day joint training exercise with the TT Defence Force. The vessel, escorted by two tug boats and Coast Guard vessels, docked at approximately 9:30 AM. The exercise, which includes members of the 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit, is set to conclude on October 30. This visit occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela. The US has recently intensified its military operations in regional waters, claiming to have destroyed 11 vessels and killed 49 alleged drug traffickers. President Donald Trump has labeled these traffickers as ‘narco terrorists’ and authorized covert military operations in Venezuela, with potential land-based attacks on drug-related targets. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has expressed strong support for the US Navy’s presence in the region, praising their efforts to combat drug trafficking. She emphasized that the region is ‘not a zone of peace’ and advocated for the violent elimination of drug traffickers.

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.

As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, the Trinidad and Tobago government has successfully repatriated over 100 students studying in the region. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced the evacuation efforts following a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee on October 25. She emphasized that the government has been proactive in ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad. Caribbean Airlines Ltd. (CAL) has been issuing notices on social media, and the TT High Commission in Jamaica has been coordinating with students who wished to return home. However, some students chose to remain, possibly due to delayed communication or personal decisions. The Prime Minister assured that once the hurricane passes, efforts will be made to bring those students home if they still desire to return. The TT High Commission is also ensuring that students have emergency supplies to weather the storm. Despite these measures, a representative from the TT Student Association revealed that nearly 300 students remain stranded at the UWI Mona campus in Jamaica. Many students received evacuation emails too late, and financial constraints prevented others from securing flights. The student representative criticized the government’s response, comparing it unfavorably to the swift actions of other countries like the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda, which evacuated their students earlier and provided accommodations. Hurricane Melissa, upgraded to a category one storm on October 25, is expected to intensify significantly before making landfall in Jamaica on October 27.

The island of Tobago, once a possession of the English monarch, faced a series of tumultuous events that shaped its history and socio-economic landscape. One of the most pressing concerns for landowners was the persistent threat of a French takeover, which haunted the island from 1763 and materialized in 1781 and 1802. This fear was finally laid to rest in 1815 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which solidified Tobago’s status as a British colony. However, this resolution did not alleviate all challenges, as the island grappled with the growing anti-slavery movement and the declining performance of its sugar industry, a cornerstone of its economy.

In an effort to stabilize the island’s affairs, the administration appointed Charles Alfred Francklyn as the agent for Tobago in 1820. Tasked with overseeing sugar sales, procurement of essential goods, and legal matters, Francklyn’s role was pivotal. Yet, the changing ownership of estates amid the intensifying anti-slavery movement, exemplified by the 1823 rebellion in British Guiana, added to the instability. The plantocracy, burdened by economic realities and unable to sustain their lavish lifestyles, faced further decline.

Another significant development was the construction of a courthouse in 1821, a project overseen by a committee of council and assembly members. This initiative highlighted the island’s efforts to establish a formal legal system. Meanwhile, the allocation of land to poor settlers, including figures like John Burnett and William Sloane Wilson, revealed the complexities of land ownership and social stratification.

The labor of enslaved Africans played a crucial role in Tobago’s economy, not only in estate work but also in defense and other services. However, the compensation for their labor was paid to their owners, not the workers themselves, a practice that underscored the inhumane nature of slavery. After Emancipation, planters claimed a shortage of labor, yet the value of the work done by enslaved Africans far exceeded what they were willing to pay freed individuals.

Despite efforts to address financial deficits through taxation on enslaved individuals, merchants, and alcohol, Tobago’s economy remained unstable. The decline in sugar production and the increasingly volatile atmosphere on plantations mirrored broader regional unrest, leaving the island’s future uncertain.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely is set to dock at the Port of Spain on October 26, marking a significant moment in the escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela. The vessel, accompanied by the 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit, will engage in a four-day joint training exercise with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. This collaboration aims to enhance military preparedness in a region fraught with geopolitical instability.