Trinidad PM defends US military visit amid Opposition and public criticism

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly addressed concerns raised by the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) and members of the public over the presence of U.S. military forces in the Caribbean.

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Her statement follows the recent announcement by the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs that the USS Gravely, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, will visit Port of Spain. The visit, scheduled from October 26 to 30, will include joint training exercises between the 22nd U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF).

The USS Gravely is part of a larger U.S. military deployment in the region, alongside vessels such as the USS Jason Dunham and USS Sampson. These ships have been active since September 2 in counter-narcotics patrols, maritime surveillance, and escort missions. Each destroyer carries advanced radar and missile systems, including Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range exceeding 1,000 miles.

Since the deployment began, the United States has sent an estimated 10,000 troops to the Caribbean as part of its counter-drug trafficking efforts. U.S. authorities have designated Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and others as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), and recent strikes on suspected drug vessels have reportedly resulted in more than 40 deaths, including a strike last Friday announced by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

In her statement, Persad-Bissessar defended her government’s cooperation with U.S. forces and criticized the PNM for what she described as misinformation aimed at political gain.

“This visit augurs well for our nation. It represents a continued partnership in strengthening our national security, enhancing operational readiness, and improving protective capabilities,” the Prime Minister said.

She also highlighted Trinidad and Tobago’s vulnerabilities to human, drug, and arms trafficking, noting that tens of thousands of illegal migrants have entered the country and more than 10,000 citizens have been murdered over the past two decades.

Persad-Bissessar accused the PNM of attempting to “create unnecessary hysteria and conspiracy theories” and alleged that the party has long-standing links to the local drug trade. “Clearly, the PNM’s daily disinformation campaign is aimed at derailing ongoing interdiction efforts to protect their drug mafia financiers,” she added.

The Prime Minister further pointed to longstanding defense agreements between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States, including the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), first signed in 2007 and renewed in 2013 and December 2024, as well as cooperative mechanisms like the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Technical Assistance Field Team (CBSI-TAFT) and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).

“We need all the help we can get to protect our people. Trinidad and Tobago must always come first,” Persad-Bissessar said. “My government will continue to work with our international partners to strengthen our institutions and safeguard our nation.”