Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar says her administration will pursue a “Trinidad and Tobago first policy” over the next five years, insisting she will not back down from criticism of her decision to support the U.S. deployment of military assets in the Caribbean to combat drug cartels.
In an interview with CNC3 television, Persad Bissessar remained unapologetic, arguing that the country has been “helplessly drowning in blood and violence for the last 20 years” and that U.S. intervention offers a chance to disrupt regional drug and arms trafficking networks.
Her position has sparked controversy within the 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom), with critics accusing her of undermining regional unity. Persad Bissessar, however, said Caricom states were already divided, noting that several members — including St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Dominica — are signatories to the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) and openly backed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
“Caricom unity had already been fractured before my comments. I make no apology for standing firm against narco-trafficking and gun-smuggling,” she said.
The U.S. recently ordered an amphibious squadron to the southern Caribbean as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to address threats from Latin American drug cartels. The mission includes a nuclear-powered submarine, reconnaissance aircraft, destroyers, and a guided-missile cruiser under the command of U.S. Southern Command.
The buildup has drawn criticism from ALBA nations, with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warning the deployment could destabilize regional peace. Maduro described the bloc as “an alliance of warriors for peace” and thanked its members for their solidarity.
Back home, Persad Bissessar’s stance has been challenged by opposition figures, including former prime minister Dr. Keith Rowley. But she dismissed their criticism as hypocritical, pointing to past Caricom appeals for U.S. assistance in stemming the flow of illegal firearms.
“Didn’t Caricom declare gun violence a public health emergency and an act of terror? The Caribbean is on fire, engulfed by illegal drugs, guns, and arms trafficking. Caricom’s efforts have failed to produce a solution,” she said.
The prime minister also argued that Trinidad and Tobago cannot ignore the strain of illegal migration, saying taxpayers are footing the bill for Venezuelan migrants. “Going forward, our foreign policy will be dictated mainly on what is in the best interest of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago first,” she said.
She emphasized that while some may oppose Washington under Trump, her administration would not shape its foreign policy based on U.S. politics. “If they don’t agree with President Trump’s politics and ideology, that is their choice. But my government does not have to go along with their views,” she added.
Caricom has not yet issued a statement on the U.S. military buildup in the region.
