Trinidad and Tobago's Role in U.S. Actions Against Venezuela

Trinidad and Tobago has increasingly aligned itself with the United States under Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, particularly in the context of U.S. military operations aimed at Venezuela. This cooperation includes the deployment of advanced military technology, such as the G/ATOR radar system, which was recently installed in Tobago, just seven miles from Venezuela. The U.S. military has conducted at least 21 airstrikes in the Caribbean since September, targeting alleged drug smugglers, which has reportedly resulted in over 80 fatalities, including Trinidadian citizens. Persad-Bissessar has publicly supported U.S. actions against Venezuelan vessels, framing them as necessary to combat transnational crime.

The Guardian

Trinidad and Tobago's stance represents a significant departure from the historically unified foreign policy of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which has traditionally emphasized peace and multilateralism. Dr. Jacqueline Laguardia Martinez, a senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies, noted that Trinidad's actions have positioned it as an outlier among Caricom nations, many of which have refused to engage in military cooperation with the U.S. Peter Wickham, director of Caribbean Development Research Services, emphasized that while Trinidad's facilities have not been used for direct attacks, there is a clear provision of intelligence support to the U.S.

The Guardian

The motivations behind Trinidad and Tobago's alignment with the U.S. appear to be economically driven. Both Persad-Bissessar and former President Donald Trump have expressed interest in Venezuelan resources, particularly gas and oil. Historically, Trinidad and Tobago sought to negotiate with Venezuela for access to the Dragon Field, which holds significant gas reserves. However, the current strategy appears to pivot towards collaboration with the U.S. in hopes of securing these resources without engaging directly with the Maduro administration.

The Guardian

Critics of Trinidad and Tobago's approach caution against the potential long-term implications of such a high-stakes alliance. Wickham pointed out that the Prime Minister's rhetoric has raised concerns about the reliability of Caricom as a partner, as well as the legal ramifications of cooperating with U.S. military actions that may be viewed as extrajudicial. There is a palpable fear among Caribbean leaders regarding the repercussions of U.S. actions, particularly in light of the U.S. indictment of Maduro, which signals potential consequences for other regional leaders.

The Guardian

The geopolitical landscape in the Caribbean is shifting, with leaders grappling with the implications of U.S. military presence and actions in the region. Wickham noted that the fear of being targeted by the U.S. could influence upcoming elections in several Caribbean nations, as leaders weigh the risks of opposing U.S. interests. The hesitance of regional leaders to condemn U.S. actions reflects a broader concern about the balance of power and the future of Caribbean diplomacy.

The Guardian

• “Trinidad’s attitude constitutes the adoption of “a divergent adversarial stance”, Laguardia Martinez said.” — Dr. Jacqueline Laguardia Martinez, Senior Lecturer, University of the West Indies

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• “but nonetheless there is cooperation at least in the provision of intelligence.” — Peter Wickham, Director, Caribbean Development Research Services

The Guardian

• “We have elections coming up in three of the islands this year, where heads of state are possibly asking themselves, ‘Do I want to call an election when I can be on a US hitlist?’ People are concerned. You don’t know what tomorrow will hold and wonder, what’s next?” — Peter Wickham, Director, Caribbean Development Research Services

The Guardian

This evolving situation highlights the complexities of Trinidad and Tobago's foreign policy and its implications for regional stability and international relations.

The Guardian