The Honourable Wayne Sturge, Minister of Defence and the Honourable Roger Alexander, Minister of Homeland Security, hosted a meeting on, Wednesday May 07, 2025, with visiting U.S. Navy Admiral, Alvin Holsey, Commander of U.S. Southern Command (US SOUTHCOM), at the Ministry of National Security’s offices at the Waterfront Building C, Wrightson Road Port of Spain.
This meeting represents part of a series of strategic engagements with officials from the Ministry of National Security, all designed to enhance security cooperation within the region. The meeting reaffirmed the strong bilateral partnership between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago and underscored the countries’ shared commitment to addressing regional security challenges, including transnational organized crime and illegal immigration. This visit marks Admiral Holsey’s second trip to Trinidad and Tobago as SOUTHCOM Commander. His previous visit was in December 2024 for the Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC). His return highlights the enduring nature of United States-Trinidad and Tobago military collaboration and the growing importance of regional partnerships.
The Admiral’s visit also coincides with the closing ceremony of Tradewinds 2025, a U.S.-sponsored multinational training exercise focused on strengthening collective capabilities in humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and combating transnational threats. This year’s exercise involved more than 1,300 military and security personnel from 24 nations and was hosted by Trinidad and Tobago for the sixth time. Commenting on the Admiral’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago, the Minister of Defence, the Honourable Wayne Sturge stated, “Admiral Holsey, your visit is a clear demonstration of the United States’ steadfast commitment to regional security and cooperation.
As our two countries and the region continue to confront shared challenges such as transnational crime and natural disasters, Trinidad and Tobago remain fully committed to deepening our defence partnership with the United States. Together, through mutual respect and collaboration, we will build a safer, more resilient Caribbean.” “The United States deeply values our defence relationship with Trinidad and Tobago,” said Admiral Holsey. “This visit is a testament to our shared commitment to regional security and stability. Together, we are stronger in confronting the challenges that affect the Caribbean and the wider hemisphere.”
The Ministry’s engagements with the Admiral during his visit reflect this country’s strong determination to work with regional and hemispheric partners in support of regional security cooperation, promoting peace, and enhancing the capabilities of the region to deal with transnational security threats.
Caption and Photos: (From left to right) The Honourable Roger Alexander MP, Minister of Homeland Security; Vice Marshal Darryl Daniel, Chief of Defence Staff; Ms Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz, Charge d’Affaires, US Embassy, Port of Spain, Admiral Alvin Hosley, Commander US Southern Command; and the Honourable Wayne Sturge MP, Minister of Defence, at a meeting on Wednesday, May 07, 2025, at the Ministry of National Security in Port of Spain.
