Trinidad Prime Minister welcomes arrival of US Marines

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has welcomed the arrival of the United States Marine Corps’ 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) for a week-long joint training exercise with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), highlighting the strategic security partnership between the two countries.

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In a post on her official X account on Sunday, Persad-Bissessar described the collaboration as reflecting the “deep and enduring” security ties between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States, noting that US military involvement has already contributed to a reduction in the trafficking of guns, drugs, and humans into the country.

“The United States’ presence in the region has already contributed to a significant reduction in the trafficking of guns, drugs, and humans into our country. As a small nation facing transnational criminal networks, TT benefits immensely from this partnership with the world’s leading superpower,” the Prime Minister wrote.

Persad-Bissessar condemned gang violence, which she said has escalated into “open lawlessness on our streets,” claiming the lives of law-abiding citizens. She urged citizens to remember the victims and described the joint exercises as a critical step in strengthening the TTDF’s readiness, intelligence capabilities, and operational strength.

“Our partnership with the US has already achieved meaningful success, and together we will continue to press forward until we win the war on crime which has plagued TT and threatens stability across our region,” she added.

The 22nd MEU arrived on November 16 and will remain in Trinidad and Tobago until November 21. This visit comes just over two weeks after the unit first arrived aboard the USS Gravely on October 26, departing on October 30. During their stay, the Marines are also participating in outreach initiatives at schools.

However, the deployment has sparked tensions with Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro accused Trinidad and Tobago of collaborating with the United States to destabilize peace in the region, suspending energy deals with the country and declaring Persad-Bissessar persona non grata. Supporters of Maduro staged protests in Caracas in response to the Marines’ return.

Despite the controversy, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers last Friday dismissed claims that the US military presence in TT is intended for operations against Venezuela.

The United States has increased its military assets in the Caribbean since August, citing efforts to combat narco-trafficking. Since September, the US military has conducted 21 airstrikes in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of 83 suspected drug traffickers, including three men in the Eastern Pacific on Saturday, according to US Southern Command.

Persad-Bissessar thanked the US Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Neidhart de Ortiz and all officials involved in making the exercise possible, stressing that the collaboration is key to fortifying national security. “May these exercises further fortify our security and usher in a safer, stronger Trinidad and Tobago. We promised to make TT safe and we intend to deliver,” she said.