Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced the installation of a new radar system by the United States, aimed at combating drug trafficking and the unauthorized movement of Venezuelan oil. This development highlights the increasing military collaboration between the US and Trinidad and Tobago, particularly given the nation’s proximity to Venezuela.
In recent months, the US has ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean, which has drawn ire from the Venezuelan government. Caracas accused Washington of a provocative military buildup, especially in light of recent exercises involving a US guided missile destroyer, which officials claim are efforts to destabilize the government of President Nicolas Maduro.
The US has intensified its stance against Maduro’s administration, labeling it a drug cartel and refusing to acknowledge its legitimacy. Following a television announcement in late November, Persad-Bissessar confirmed the radar’s installation at a new airport, underlining its purpose in monitoring Venezuelan oil exports that are under US sanctions.
She stated, “The new radar system assists with the detection of Venezuelan crude oil sanction-busting activities and traffickers who have been conducting deliveries of narcotics, firearms, ammunition, and migrants into our country from Venezuela.” The measures come on the heels of an embargo on Venezuelan oil imposed by former President Donald Trump in 2019, a policy that continues to be upheld by the current administration.
Persad-Bissessar emphasized that the newly installed radar enhances surveillance capabilities, providing an unprecedented layer of security for the nation. However, this cooperation has sparked accusations from Caracas, claiming that Trinidad and Tobago is complicit in US efforts to destabilize Venezuela, allegations that Persad-Bissessar has firmly denied.
The US has recently deployed naval forces, including a fleet of warships and the largest aircraft carrier in the world, to the Caribbean. These forces have conducted operations resulting in the destruction of at least 22 vessels, leading to the deaths of at least 83 people, all under the pretense of combating drug trafficking. Critics argue that these actions may breach international law and could be construed as extrajudicial killings.
With regional tensions escalating, the implications of enhanced military cooperation and surveillance capabilities raise concerns about the balance of power in the Caribbean and the potential ramifications for Caribbean nations amidst geopolitical conflicts.
