Trinidad and Tobago on Dec. 15 tightened its close cooperation with the Trump administration and the US military by granting permission for multiple American military aircraft to transit the republic’s two main airports in the coming weeks.
The administration of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar in a release early Monday said it was making its position clear about its commitment to sustained cooperation with the US in advancing regional safety, security, and stability.”
The announcement has come amid persistent complaints from neighboring Venezuela that the cabinet is readying the country to function as a base for US military action against Venezuela, charges that the government has vehemently denied, explaining that no formal request to do so has as yet been made by Washington.
Venezuela’s fear that one of its closest neighbors is siding with a superpower against it was explained away in the release by the foreign ministration as it noted that the US “has advised that these movements are logistical in nature, facilitating supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations. The ministry of foreign and Caricom affairs maintains close engagement with the US embassy in Trinidad and Tobago. The honorable prime minister has affirmed the government’s commitment to cooperation and collaboration in the pursuit of safety and security for Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region. We welcome the continued support of the US.”
The move by the administration has come just days after local authorities acknowledged that the US has been allowed to set up a high-grade military radar system in Tobago. Tobagonian officials say that underground fuel tanks have also been installed at the airport, presumably as fuel depots for military aircraft.
In announcing the permission for aircraft to transit, authorities stated that the country is “advancing regional safety, security, and stability. Through this partnership, Trinidad and Tobago has benefited from joint military training exercises, enhanced surveillance capabilities, including the installation of an effective radar system, and collaborative efforts that have contributed to the interdiction of millions of dollars’ worth of illegal narcotics,” the foreign ministry has said.
PM Persad Bissessar has said that no formal request has been made to use Trinidad and Tobago as a launch pad for any activities against Venezuela but she has played up the fact that felony crimes such as murder, kidnappings, weapons, and human smuggling as well as narco trafficking have declined significantly since the first set of US attacks on alleged narcotic fetching boats. The murder rate is also expected to halve this year.
And fearing that actual conflict may soon break out, the local insurance brokers association said on Dec. 15 that it thought it fit and appropriate to warn the country that the effects of war are not covered by local policies.
“We have gotten questions in writing from clients, inquiries from clients looking at possibly purchasing coverage for war, terrorism and sabotage,” the association said in a statement. “We also have had individuals asking about it. It is at the forefront of people’s minds and they are asking if something were to happen, what would go on with my insurance.” The association added that insurance “does not cover loss, damage, cost or expense directly or indirectly caused by, contributed to by, resulting from or arising out of war or related perils.”
