标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The possibility of U.S. military intervention in Venezuela has become a topic of intense speculation, particularly among citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. Many Guyanese view Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as a threat, given his territorial claims over two-thirds of Guyana and his veiled threats. The question of whether U.S. President Donald Trump will authorize strikes or an invasion to remove Maduro has been repeatedly posed to the President by reporters. While Trump has not directly addressed these queries, he has hinted at potential land strikes targeting drug-manufacturing facilities and camps labeled as terrorist organizations, which are allegedly responsible for shipping drugs to the U.S., causing thousands of deaths annually. Maduro, who has been accused of leading a terrorist organization, has denied these allegations and expressed a willingness to engage in discussions with the Trump administration. Trump has indicated openness to meeting with Venezuelan leadership and may send emissaries to negotiate Maduro’s departure from office. However, any talks would likely delay immediate military action. Strikes could be avoided if Maduro agrees to concessions, such as compensating Exxon and other oil companies nationalized by Venezuela, dismantling drug labs, and cracking down on criminal gangs. Venezuela’s role in drug production is relatively minor compared to Colombia and Bolivia, but its jungle airstrips are used to transport drugs to Central America, Mexico, and beyond. Reports from Guyana have uncovered secret airstrips and small aircraft linked to drug trafficking, implicating local police and military personnel. American intelligence has identified Guyana as a transshipment point for drugs destined for developed countries. Despite these issues, it is unlikely that Maduro will make sweeping concessions, leaving the door open for further U.S. strikes. Trump’s cabinet members have labeled Maduro an illegitimate ruler due to alleged election rigging, increasing the likelihood of targeted military action. However, Trump has previously expressed a desire to reduce U.S. foreign involvement, citing the country’s poor track record with regime changes in nations like Guyana, Haiti, and Iraq. A full-scale invasion of Venezuela carries significant risks, reminiscent of costly quagmires in Afghanistan and Iraq. While the U.S. military is prepared for such an operation, immediate large-scale intervention seems improbable. Air-powered strikes, however, remain a likely scenario, and the fall of the Maduro regime would likely be met with indifference or relief by Guyanese citizens.

Former National Security Minister Gary Griffith has raised alarms over reports that Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander is seeking assistance from the US Embassy to revoke visas of US-based social media users, including bloggers with dual nationality, who are allegedly spreading propaganda and fear about Trinidad and Tobago. This development follows the recent revocation of the US visa of Gary Aboud, secretary of Fisherman and Friends of the Sea, who claims it was due to his opposition to the government’s support for US military deployment in the southern Caribbean, which began in August. In a video posted on November 24, Griffith acknowledged a country’s right to deny visas to individuals who violate its laws but expressed concern over the unprecedented move of a government official requesting another country to revoke visas of its own citizens. Griffith, who served as national security minister and adviser during Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s administration (2010-2015), stated he was confident Persad-Bissessar would not endorse such actions, which could be perceived as silencing dissent. He emphasized that while individuals are entitled to their views, legal action should be taken only if laws are broken. Aboud, in a November 21 statement, questioned the government’s role in his visa revocation, to which Persad-Bissessar responded by denying any involvement and labeling his comments as reckless. She has publicly supported the US military deployment, described by the Trump administration as an anti-narcotics initiative targeting drug trafficking from Venezuela.

In a recent letter to the editor, Dr. Errol N. Benjamin reflects on the strategic implications of Trinidad and Tobago’s (TT) alliance with the United States, particularly in the context of the ongoing Venezuelan crisis. Dr. Benjamin, who has been vocal about this issue for some time, underscores the benefits of this partnership, citing the recent tariff relief on fertilizers and other products as a tangible outcome. He argues that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s decision to align with the US demonstrates astute leadership, given the economic and security advantages it brings to TT.

Dr. Benjamin acknowledges the prevailing anti-Trump sentiment in the region, fueled by concerns over US hegemonic intentions and the desire for regime change in Venezuela, ostensibly for its oil and gas resources. He also notes the Caribbean’s aspiration to be a ‘zone of peace’ and the importance of sovereignty. However, he contends that these concerns, while valid, should not overshadow the pragmatic benefits of aligning with a global powerhouse like the US, especially when TT relies on the US for markets, financing, and security.

Addressing fears of becoming a military target, Dr. Benjamin questions the likelihood of such an outcome under Trump’s administration. He also highlights the strategic necessity of this alliance, particularly with Venezuela’s aggressive posturing in the region, including accusations of TT’s complicity in guerrilla warfare. Dr. Benjamin leaves the final judgment to the readers, urging them to critically evaluate the merits of this alliance in the broader geopolitical context.

In a significant diplomatic and economic engagement, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Jearlean John, alongside Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers and Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein, held high-level discussions with key UAE officials and industry leaders. The meetings, which took place on November 24 and 25 in Abu Dhabi, focused on port development, management, and investment opportunities aligned with Trinidad and Tobago’s Revitalisation Blueprint. The delegation met with AD Ports Group’s CEO, Ahmed Al Mutwaa, whose organization oversees 50 ports globally, including the renowned Khalifa Port. Additionally, they engaged with UAE State Minister Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi to explore investment prospects. The visit also included planned meetings with UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed and private sector giants such as Royal Group Headquarters, DP World, and the Dubai Chamber of Industry and Commerce. These discussions underscore Trinidad and Tobago’s strategic efforts to bolster infrastructure and attract foreign investment.