Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has called out CARICOM as an unreliable partner in some regards. She said some CARICOM countries are siding with Venezuela instead of supporting Trinidad and Tobago on regional security issues. Persad-Bissessar stated that her government would not be pressured or blackmailed to back down from its fight against drug cartels and crime.

The Trinidad government fully supports U.S. efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and transnational crime in the Caribbean. Despite accusations from Venezuela of collusion with the U.S., Persad-Bissessar denies any plan to destabilize Venezuela or use Trinidad as a base for attacks. She insists that Trinidad faces serious security challenges, including a rising murder rate and violent criminal networks, requiring strong and independent action.

Looking ahead, Trinidad’s Parliament will vote on extending the state of emergency to continue addressing crime and security concerns. The Prime Minister’s remarks highlight tensions in Caribbean regional cooperation and underline Trinidad and Tobago’s resolve to protect its citizens. Though solidarity with Venezuela remains, Persad-Bissessar prioritizes safety and law enforcement on her island.