The Government remains confident that the deployment of US military forces in the Caribbean is aimed at stemming the illicit drug and arms trade.
US officials allege the vessel destroyed in the waters off the southern Caribbean on Tuesday was operated by Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang and was carrying narcotics bound for Trinidad and Tobago. The strike claimed the lives of eleven people on board the vessel.
Minister of Defence, Wayne Sturge, responded to questions about the incident at Thursday’s Post-Cabinet Media Conference.
“There’s no basis for a deployment of our forces at this stage. Nothing has happened to warrant that. What took place in terms of the air strike took place in international waters and in pursuance of one sovereign state pursuing their own interests against persons who are acting in a manner that is inimical to their interest. That has nothing to do with Trinidad and Tobago.”
And Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander reiterated that the Government welcomes the assistance of the United States in fighting the illicit drug trade. He pointed to the well-known fact that Trinidad and Tobago is a trans-shipment point for the entry of narcotics and illegal firearms.
“Are you witnessing what is happening on the nation’s streets in terms of what type of firearms are being used? We do not manufacture firearms here, so they are coming in from somewhere. So if the United States says it is coming from this angle, together with the intelligence we have, then we should welcome that. Every citizen of this country should welcome that.”