The Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration on Sunday (October 19) once again expressed Trinidad and Tobago’s “categorical support” of US military presence in the southern Caribbean Sea.

The statement from the twin-island republic’s Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs comes a day after Trinidad rescinded its decision to join a 15-country memo on the increased regional security build-up on Saturday.

Just yesterday, CARICOM heads, except Trinidad and Tobago, which “reserved its position”, reaffirmed the principle of maintaining the Caribbean as a ‘Zone of Peace’, with no explicit mention of the United States military deployment within the region, Venezuela or the dozens of dead from repeated maritime strikes in international waters.

“CARICOM heads of government reiterated their continued commitment to fighting narcotrafficking and the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons, which adversely affect the region.  They underscored that efforts to overcome these challenges should be through ongoing international cooperation and within international law,” the CARICOM statement noted.

“They reaffirmed unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region and the safety and livelihoods of the people of the region,” it added.

In response, however, the Trinbagonian foreign affairs ministry counterargued its conviction that the Donald Trump-sanctioned operation in the Caribbean is for the betterment of the region.

Full statement:

“The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs refers to the recent statement from the Caribbean Community issued on 18th October 2025.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to once more, categorically express its strong support for the on-going military intervention of the United States of America in the Region.

These operations aimed at combatting narco and human trafficking and other forms of transnational crime are ultimately aimed at allowing the region to be a true “Zone of Peace” where all citizens can in reality, live and work in a safe environment.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago affirms that these operations are not meant to target law abiding persons, specifically fisherfolk and other seafaring individuals seeking to earn an honest living.

Alternatively, all persons who may seek to engage in, or indirectly support, any illegal activities in the region, are warned that should they be so inclined, they do so at their own peril.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago reiterates its commitment to the people of the Caribbean for the creation of a safer, stronger and more prosperous region.”

Some three weeks ago, at a terse press briefing in Port of Spain ahead of her trip to New York City for the UN General Assembly, Persad-Bissessar defended what she called Trinidad’s right to support US military intervention in the southern Caribbean.

She objected to narco- and human trafficking, arguing that other Caribbean countries are ‘not as affected’ as Trinidad, evidenced in the runaway crime rate affecting the twin-island nation.

“So whilst we have the unity in CARICOM, every nation state in CARICOM has the right to exercise their sovereign rights as they think best. At this time, our willingness in accepting the US in the international waters [of the southern Caribbean], I’m very happy about that; that is my sovereign right for the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” said the prime minister.

“This is a game-changer in a sense. Having help from others larger than we are… who have the resources…we have not had for umpteen years; we have to do things different,” she mused further.