Trinidad and Tobago stood apart from its Caribbean Community (CARICOM) neighbours, declining to back a regional position on key security and regional stability issues, including the growing presence of the US military in the region.
According to a statement issued by CARICOM on Saturday, Heads of Government met to discuss several issues on the regional agenda, including the security build-up in parts of the Caribbean and its potential impact on member states. The position at that meeting was not endorsed by the government of the twin-island republic.
The meeting follows a series of deadly strikes by the Donald Trump administration targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels off the Venezuelan coast, the latest of which reportedly claimed the lives of two Trinidad and Tobago nationals.
“Save in respect of Trinidad and Tobago who reserved its position, Heads agreed on the following: They reaffirmed the principle of maintaining the Caribbean Region as a Zone of Peace and the importance of dialogue and engagement towards the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflict.
“CARICOM remains willing to assist towards that objective,” the CARICOM statement read.
The regional leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to tackling narcotrafficking and the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons, which continue to pose major threats to regional stability. They stressed that such challenges must be addressed through ongoing international cooperation and in keeping with international law.
Additionally, CARICOM Heads reiterated their continued commitment to fighting narcotrafficking and the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons, which adversely affect the region.
They further underscored that efforts to overcome these challenges should be through ongoing international cooperation and within international law.
No reason was immediately given for Trinidad and Tobago’s decision to reserve its position on these matters.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has not commented on the latest development, or the deaths of the two Trinidadians in the US strike.
In a brief statement on Saturday, Opposition MP Stuart Young, a former National Security Minister, joined calls for Persad-Bissessar to speak to citizens on the latter issue, accusing her of being “in hiding”.
“Like many citizens, I have been waiting on the Prime Minister, as head of the Cabinet and Chair of the National Security Council, to address us. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister has been in hiding for days now and not addressing the growing concerns of uncertainty.
“It is the Prime Minister’s responsibility to address the nation immediately and provide the population with information and reassurance. Do your job, Madame Prime Minister,” Young said.
Persad‑Bissessar has publicly praised the US campaign, saying she was happy that the US naval deployment “is having success in its mission”.
“The slaughter of our people is fuelled by evil cartel traffickers. The pain and suffering the cartels have inflicted on our nation is immense. I have no sympathy for traffickers; the US military should kill them all violently,” she said in a statement on September 2 after one of the strikes killed all 11 people on board.
“May God bless and protect the members of the US military who are engaged in the drug interdiction mission. Their efforts will save many lives in our country and the region,” the Prime Minister added. (CMC)
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