The Trinidad and Tobago government on Friday moved to quell public fears sparked by widespread rumors suggesting an imminent shift in the country’s national and regional security environment.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs described the reports as “false news” and assured citizens that there is no cause for alarm. The ministry noted that the United States has denied claims of any military action or change in its Venezuela policy, emphasizing that “any announcement regarding Venezuela policy would come directly from President Donald Trump.”
Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Sean Sobers is reportedly in active contact with the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain. Based on the information received, the ministry said, “there is no need for the population to be concerned.”
“The United States of America, through its Southern Command, is in fact focused on assisting in the disaster recovery efforts for Jamaica,” the statement added, referencing ongoing humanitarian operations following Hurricane Melissa.
The government further assured citizens that it will promptly inform the public of any genuine developments requiring heightened security measures.
The clarification comes as Parliament debates a three-month extension of the current state of emergency (SoE). During Friday’s sitting, Defence Minister Wayne Sturge declined to confirm or deny whether the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) had been placed on high alert, citing Standing Order 27(g), which allows a minister to withhold information if its disclosure would be “contrary to the public interest.”
His response followed local media reports claiming that TTDF detachments had been called to full readiness amid rumors of a possible U.S. military strike on Venezuelan targets. The alleged internal directive instructed all active soldiers, sailors, and air guard officers to report to base by 6 p.m. on October 31, and ordered those on leave to remain on standby.
The reports quickly fueled public anxiety, with claims circulating on social media that the situation was “not a drill.”
The rumors come against a backdrop of growing U.S. military activity near Venezuela, which Washington says is part of efforts to curb narcotics trafficking. Caracas has strongly rejected that justification, accusing the U.S. of posing a threat to regional peace and sovereignty.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto told the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week that the U.S. presence represents “an illegal and completely immoral military threat hanging over our heads.”
Regional leaders have also been monitoring the situation. The CARICOM Secretariat, based in Guyana, confirmed that Caribbean heads of government recently met to discuss the military buildup and its implications for member states. However, it noted that Trinidad and Tobago did not endorse the position agreed upon at that meeting.
For now, Port of Spain maintains that the security situation remains stable, urging citizens to remain calm and rely on official updates rather than unverified reports circulating online.
