US Embassy in Trinidad rejects claims of government influence in visa revocations

The United States Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago has pushed back against claims that the Trinidad and Tobago government is influencing U.S. visa decisions, stressing that no foreign entity plays a role in approvals, denials, or revocations.

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In a statement issued on November 26, the embassy said, “The US government makes all decisions about its visas… The US does not revoke visas due to the exercise of the right to free expression, which is a cornerstone value of our country.” It added that visa actions are based on criminal activity, not political speech or criticism.

The clarification follows reports that Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander wrote to the embassy requesting the denial or revocation of visas for individuals who “disseminate defamatory, inflammatory, and intentionally misleading narratives” about U.S.–Trinidad and Tobago security operations.

The controversy intensified after Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) corporate secretary Gary Aboud revealed on November 21 that his U.S. visa had been revoked. Aboud linked the decision to his vocal criticism of recent U.S. missile strikes in the Southern Caribbean and Pacific — operations that the United States says have targeted drug traffickers and resulted in over 80 deaths since September 2. He also suggested the government had a hand in the action.

Aboud, who has recently criticised the heightened U.S. naval presence near Venezuela, said FFOS has spent more than two decades advocating for environmental justice and the protection of coastal communities. He argued the visa revocation fits into what he described as a troubling clampdown on civil society.

“Today, however, we face an alarming reality: NGOs are being silenced,” he said, insisting that independent organisations are essential for accountability. FFOS noted it supports the government’s lawful efforts against drug and arms trafficking but “will never condone unlawful killings.”

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar quickly dismissed Aboud’s assertions and denied that her administration had any involvement in the visa decision. In a post on X, she underscored that immigration matters lie “solely within the jurisdiction” of the U.S. government.

She also rejected the claim that NGOs are being targeted. “Contrary to Mr Aboud’s assertions, non-governmental organisations are not being silenced. Such an inflammatory allegation is reckless, misleading and risks causing unnecessary fear,” Persad-Bissessar stated. She emphasized her government’s commitment to freedom of speech, noting that even critics of the administration speak freely without state interference.

The embassy’s statement appears aimed at settling public concern while distancing U.S. visa decisions from political tensions unfolding in Trinidad and Tobago.