Trinidad and Tobago PM backs US war on drugs despite regional concerns

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has reaffirmed her support for the United States’ military campaign against drug traffickers in the Caribbean, accusing “many drug money-funded businesses” of financing a public relations push against the initiative.

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In recent weeks, U.S. forces have conducted airstrikes on vessels in international waters, claiming the occupants were drug traffickers, though no evidence has been publicly presented. The actions have drawn condemnation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with Volker Türk stating that the strikes “violate international human rights law” and must be halted immediately.

Among those reportedly killed are two Trinidad and Tobago nationals. Despite this, Persad-Bissessar told the Express newspaper that her government continues to support America’s approach. “President Trump’s comments were clear. He is committed to the fight against drug trafficking within our region. My Government will continue to support the US military drug interdiction exercises within the region,” she said.

The Prime Minister cited the country’s struggles with the illegal drugs trade, noting that many citizens “have been forced to live in terror behind burglar-proof bars in your own homes.” She criticized local and regional groups opposing the U.S. efforts, saying, “I prefer for drugs and arms traffickers to be killed violently than for you, the law-abiding citizens to continue being killed violently in your own homes. I simply do not care about the glib opinions, fake sophistication and the grovelling masked as diplomacy to protect drug traffickers.”

Persad-Bissessar also addressed attempts to stir panic over relations with Venezuela. “The PNM [People’s National Movement], their trolls and some in the media are trying to gaslight the population about war and attacks against Trinidad… That is not going to happen. I will let the population know if there is any cause for concern,” she said.

Venezuela’s Minister of Justice, Diosdado Cabello, responded by urging Persad-Bissessar to refrain from meddling in Venezuelan affairs, accusing Trinidad and Tobago of siding with Washington’s alleged attempts to remove President Nicolás Maduro. Cabello said Trinidad and Tobago’s support of U.S. military exercises near Venezuelan waters constituted a provocation.

“Yet we have been attacked by Trinidad and Tobago, by the hand and by the voice of the lady who is the Prime Minister… Venezuela, as always, reserves the right to take the necessary actions,” Cabello said, noting that Trinidadians living in Venezuela are treated well. He also advised Persad-Bissessar to focus on domestic governance rather than regional interventions.

Last month, the Caricom Secretariat confirmed that regional leaders had discussed security concerns in parts of the Caribbean, including potential impacts on member states. However, it clarified that the position expressed during the meeting was not endorsed by the Trinidad and Tobago government.