Trinidad PM confirms US Marines’ presence in Tobago

By New York Carib Information

(BLACKPRESSUSA) — Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has clarified that U.S. Marines are certainly current in Tobago, retracting earlier statements that no American army personnel have been at the moment within the nation.

Talking to reporters, Persad-Bissessar confirmed that Marines are stationed on the A.N.R. Robinson Worldwide Airport, the place they’re aiding with upgrades to the radar system, runway, and entry roads.

“They’re serving to us enhance surveillance and strengthen radar intelligence to counter narco-trafficking in and round our waters,” she stated, whereas providing no further particulars on the scope of the work.

Senior nationwide safety officers — together with the legal professional common and the ministers of protection and nationwide safety — didn’t reply to requests for remark.

It stays unclear whether or not the U.S. is putting in a brand new radar system or enhancing the prevailing one, and whether or not Washington intends to make the most of the expertise immediately for its increasing regional operations.

The affirmation follows a Dec. 3 assembly between Persad-Bissessar and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Employees and President Donald Trump’s prime army adviser. After the assembly, the prime minister insisted Trinidad and Tobago had not been requested to function a base for any potential U.S. motion in opposition to Venezuela and stated the problem was not raised in latest discussions.

Native officers beforehand acknowledged that at the very least one U.S. army plane landed in Tobago for refueling, although the aim of that go to stays largely undisclosed.

Earlier this 12 months, the U.S. approached Grenada in search of permission to put in a short lived radar system at its primary airport. Grenadian officers haven’t said whether or not approval was granted. Each Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago sit close to Venezuela — positioning them strategically amid a U.S. army buildup observers say is geared toward pressuring President Nicolás Maduro.

Final week, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader introduced that Washington would obtain momentary entry to restricted areas at an air base and the nation’s primary worldwide airport to assist U.S. counter-drug operations, making the announcement alongside U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The USA has carried out intensified strikes within the Caribbean since early September, killing at the very least 83 folks in operations focusing on drug-trafficking boats and networks.