Amid ongoing debates across the Caribbean regarding the escalating military presence of external powers in the region, Trinidad and Tobago has once again taken a position distinct from its regional bloc, asserting its sovereign right to diverge from collective Caricom decisions on matters of national and regional security.
In a firm public statement issued Sunday, the government emphasized its unwavering support for foreign-led anti-narcotics and anti-trafficking operations currently underway in Caribbean waters. The administration, led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, framed the operations as essential tools in dismantling transnational criminal networks that have long undermined regional safety and stability.
The declaration follows a recent high-level meeting convened by Caricom leaders to assess the broader implications of military deployments and rising geopolitical tensions in the hemisphere. While a majority of member states appeared to favor a more cautious or unified posture, Trinidad and Tobago openly declined to endorse the joint position—marking yet another moment of strategic divergence from its neighbors.
Trinidad’s leadership described the foreign presence not as a threat but as a stabilizing force, aimed at restoring lawfulness to maritime corridors frequently exploited for illicit trade. The government clarified that the operations are not intended to disrupt the livelihoods of legitimate seafarers such as fisherfolk, but rather to target criminal syndicates operating under the radar.
Reaffirming its commitment to regional wellbeing, the statement concluded with a message to Caricom citizens: the republic remains fully invested in building a “safer, stronger and more prosperous Caribbean,” even if it means walking an independent path to get there.
