By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
Trinidad & Tobago – U.S. Warship Controversy
Former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has broken his silence on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s weekend announcement that her government would support the presence of a U.S. warship in the Caribbean and even allow them access to Trinidad and Tobago’s soil if Venezuela were to attack Guyana.
In a strongly worded Facebook post, Rowley accused Persad-Bissessar of abandoning decades of carefully cultivated regional foreign policy and aligning Port of Spain with Washington’s “Monroe Doctrine playbook.” He reminded the public of CARICOM’s 2019 stance, when regional leaders resisted external military threats by advocating dialogue and mediation.
Brazil – Bolsonaro Trial Nears Conclusion
As Brazil’s Supreme Court prepares for closing arguments in the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro over an alleged coup plot, signs of political unraveling are emerging.
Bolsonaro, now under house arrest in a gated community, has reportedly shown signs of depression, anxiety attacks, and an obsession with the judge overseeing his case. Federal police this week released private messages portraying him as hesitant and struggling to manage infighting among his allies.
His son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, is reportedly lobbying in Washington for U.S. support. Analysts suggest the former army captain’s once formidable political coalition is now showing deep fractures.
Regional Security Concerns
With a U.S. warship bound for the region under a mandate to disrupt drug cartels in Venezuela, regional security expert Dr. Garvin Hero has warned that Caribbean leaders must strategize carefully.
While naval presence in the Caribbean is not new, Hero noted that the heightened tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela could quickly shift the situation from routine patrols to a potential conflict zone. He emphasized the need for governments to prepare clear strategies should the geopolitical climate escalate.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Venezuela has been mobilizing militias in preparation for possible defense of its territory, raising fresh concerns of instability across the region.
