US Military Chief to visit Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen security ties

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine will visit Trinidad and Tobago on November 25, 2025, to meet with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The visit comes as the two nations deepen their security collaboration to strengthen regional stability and combat illicit trafficking and transnational criminal organizations.

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The visit follows two recent deployments by the U.S. 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which conducted joint military exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force from October 26-30 and November 16-21.

The exercises included urban and coastal operations designed to enhance the TT Defence Force’s operational readiness and interoperability with U.S. forces. Officials in Port of Spain have emphasized that the drills are part of a broader strategy under Operation Southern Spear, aimed at combating narco-terrorism and organized crime across the Caribbean.

“While these exercises are tactical in nature, their strategic value cannot be overstated,” a TT Defence Force official said. “They are essential in addressing violent organized crime, which has long threatened security and stability in the region.”

As the 22nd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Caine is the nation’s highest-ranking military officer and serves as the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council. He assumed the role on April 11, 2025, following his tenure as Associate Director for Military Affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency. Gen. Caine’s career spans operational, staff, and joint assignments, including service as an F-16 fighter pilot, weapons officer, member of the White House staff, and special operations officer.

Observers note that Gen. Caine’s visit underscores Washington’s continued commitment to Caribbean security and the importance of U.S.-TT cooperation in tackling cross-border crime networks. Analysts say it also signals a potential expansion of joint initiatives under Operation Southern Spear, reflecting shared concerns about the region’s vulnerability to narco-trafficking and transnational criminal activity.