BY: TIANA COLE | HGP NIGHTLY NEWS|
Trinidad and Tobago Breaks Ranks on CARICOM Security Statement
Trinidad and Tobago declined to endorse a CARICOM regional statement addressing the growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and recent maritime strikes near Venezuela.
The CARICOM communiqué, issued after a high-level security meeting, reaffirmed the Caribbean’s commitment to maintaining the region as a “Zone of Peace.” However, Trinidad and Tobago reserved its position, prompting speculation amid ongoing U.S. operations targeting alleged narcotics traffickers.
Two nationals of Trinidad and Tobago were reportedly killed in one such strike, heightening regional unease.
U.S. Embassy Issues Security Alert in Trinidad and Tobago
The U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain has urged American citizens to avoid government facilities during the holiday weekend due to unspecified security threats, possibly linked to regional tensions.
The alert follows six U.S. military strikes in the southern Caribbean, including one that allegedly targeted a submarine carrying fentanyl. President Donald Trump confirmed the latest strike, which has further strained U.S.–Venezuela relations.
Haiti: U.S. Imposes New Sanctions on Gang Leader and Ex-Police Official
The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned Belair gang leader Kempi Sanan and Dmetri Harad, a former Haitian palace security chief tied to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
Both men are now barred from U.S. transactions or assets, as Washington seeks to choke off funding to Haiti’s armed gangs.
Haiti remains gripped by violence, with gangs controlling most of Port-au-Prince, 1.3 million displaced, and thousands killed amid stalled efforts to deploy an international police support mission.
