2 months ago
8
Senior Multimedia Reporter
Residents of Cedros are expressing mixed feelings about reports that three United States warships will soon be operating off T&T’s shores as tensions rise between the United States and Venezuela.
The US recently confirmed the deployment of the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima and USS Fort Lauderdale to the region, with the vessels scheduled to arrive by this weekend. Officials said the move is aimed at disrupting drug cartels allegedly linked to the Venezuelan government.
In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has denounced the deployment as a “threat to sovereignty” and announced that more than four million militia members had been mobilised, even as he faces a $50 million bounty for his arrest.
On the ground in Cedros yesterday, reactions were divided. Some residents viewed the United States as an intruder, while others championed the US as a safeguard against transnational crime.
Farmer Azard Baksh, who has cultivated land in Coromandel for 35 years, said daily life has not changed despite the developments. He added that there has been no food hoarding or major disruptions so far.
“We are not taking any precautions. We can’t plant food in a big way again because it’s too costly. People not buying, so we just have to see how this develops. We cannot stop nothing,” he said.
Baksh explained that many Venezuelan farm workers who once supported agriculture in the area had returned home, leaving locals unable to increase food production. “We cannot plant more because we don’t have the people to work anymore,” he said.
He also voiced unease about the possibility of US/Venezuela tension escalating once the vessels actually arrive off the Venezuela coast.
“I not liking that vibes, it will bring bacchanal in the zone. That is real problem.”
At Bonasse Village, fisherman Ganesh Ramdeen expressed support for the US presence.
“I am happy that US warships are in the area. I hope peace will remain,” he said.
He added, “If it was drugs alone, it will be nice, but is guns, real real guns, and you know where it coming from.”
Other fishermen said they were now cautious about venturing out to sea.
Donald Dipchand, who has worked in the waters off Cedros for decades, said he had been looking for signs of the US vessels.
“I went yesterday beyond the rig, beyond the oil wells, but we didn’t see anything else,” he explained.
“We have to be worried outside there, because I got hijacked before in the open sea. Something could happen again. You don’t know who is coming.”
Dipchand said the presence of US warships could help deter criminal activity at sea but called for stronger local enforcement.
“Here we have the Coast Guard, a little pirogue, but we need a big fleet on standby here,” he said.
Another Cedros resident, speaking anonymously, claimed that drug cartels had taken hold of the area. He said he felt safer knowing the US Navy was in regional waters.
“You have to expect the unexpected, because again, Maduro say if it’s war Trinidad wants, you go get war,” he said.
He added, “We have no war system. Anything happen in Trinidad, America coming.”
Still, many in the community insist they are trying to continue with their daily routines while keeping watch on the situation.
“What has to happen will happen, you know. We are not taking no precautions,” said Baksh.
With no visible sign of US warships from the shoreline just yet, residents said their main wish is for calm to prevail.
“All you want down here is peace, that is all we know,” Baksh added.
English (US) ·