Trinidad PM warns of threat posed by criminal networks at UN
Key Points(5)
- Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has warned that criminal networks pose a direct threat to citizens, institutions and development, particularly in small island states.
- Addressing the United Nations General Debate on Tuesday, Persad-Bissessar said the threat posed by transnational criminal networks was not abstract for Trinidad and Tobago.
- “For Trinidad and Tobago, this is not an abstract threat.
- These networks directly endanger our citizens, endanger our institutions and endanger our development,” she said.
- Persad-Bissessar thanked US President Donald Trump for inviting Trinidad and Tobago to join the newly formed Shield of the Americas and the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has warned that criminal networks pose a direct threat to citizens, institutions and development, particularly in small island states.
Addressing the United Nations General Debate on Tuesday, Persad-Bissessar said the threat posed by transnational criminal networks was not abstract for Trinidad and Tobago.
“For Trinidad and Tobago, this is not an abstract threat. These networks directly endanger our citizens, endanger our institutions and endanger our development,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar thanked US President Donald Trump for inviting Trinidad and Tobago to join the newly formed Shield of the Americas and the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition.
She said the partnerships would help promote freedom, security and prosperity in the region.
Trinidad and Tobago will serve on the UN Security Council in 2027 and 2028. Persad-Bissessar said the country will use its membership to advocate for greater international cooperation to address the sources, movement and diversion of illicit weapons.
She also said Trinidad and Tobago would encourage greater consideration of the implications of “super intelligence” for international peace and security.
“We acknowledge that these technologies can support conflict prevention, early warning, peacekeeping and the protection of civilians,” she said.
T&T backs Haiti security efforts
Turning to Haiti, Persad-Bissessar said Trinidad and Tobago fully supports international efforts to help the country restore security and stability.
She stressed, however, that Haiti’s political future must ultimately be determined by Haitians.
“Security assistance is necessary, but lasting stability will also require functioning institutions, economic opportunity and a credible political process,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar’s remarks came as Trinidad and Tobago prepares to begin its two-year term on the Security Council in January 2027.
