PM Persad-Bissessar: No worry, T&T safer with US radar

PM Persad-Bissessar greets General Caine (Trinidad Express)

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says there is no need for citizens to be on edge over the radar system installed by the United States military in Tobago, as the system will make both the sister island and Trinidad safer.
The Express contacted the Prime Minister yesterday for comment on the controversy the US radar system has ignited and criticisms from several quarters, including the Opposition.
Persad-Bissessar reiterated that T&T was not a United States base for any attacks on Venezuela, noting that the military might the US already has in the region—including the US Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier—is more than sufficient.
“The US owns thousands of satellites, they own the GPS system, they have almost 20 per cent of their navy in the Caribbean with the most sophisticated military communications technology in existence. They don’t need to put a radar in our country to use for any military purpose. They could monitor the entire Caribbean from the Gerald Ford aircraft carrier. Sensible people understand these facts,” she said.
Last Tuesday, the Prime Minister met with General Dan Caine, chairman of the United States’ Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Port of Spain. He is the highest-ranking military officer and the principal military adviser to US President Donald Trump. She said the meeting focused on tackling narco-trafficking and regional security—not Venezuela.
Persad-Bissessar clarified that, contrary to public speculation, she was the one who requested the radar from the US Embassy months ago and that it did not come about as a result of her meeting with General Caine.
“Months ago I made the request to the local US Embassy for a US-supplied radar as a temporary solution for our poor surveillance capabilities. A system will also be installed at a site in Trinidad until a permanent replacement for our ineffective existing radar system can be installed,” she stated.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the people of Tobago, in particular, have nothing to fear, as the radar system enhances their protection.
“Tobago’s air and sea territory are the most secure they have ever been and the people of Tobago are the safest they have ever been. I am ultimately responsible for their safety and security and will ensure they never have a bloody year like 2024,” she said.
She added: “The 2024 murders in Tobago (26 in total) were mainly driven by fights for drug turf. A number of Trinidadian criminals went to Tobago and sought to create havoc with gang violence and drug trafficking. The previous PNM government did nothing to help (THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine) because they believed by allowing crime to flourish in Tobago it would damage him at the polls. There has never been a Chief Secretary who loves the people of Tobago as much as Farley.”
The Express asked the Prime Minister about claims made by retired Lt Cmdr Norman Dindial, a former military commander who once ran T&T’s coastal surveillance. Dindial, who is political leader of the National Transformation Alliance (NTA), claimed that T&T already has a fully functional and effective marine radar system, and that the US-operated system in Tobago is a battlefield-grade technology designed for war, not counter-narcotics.
According to Persad-Bissessar, Dindial has questions to answer.
“This person claims that he was in charge of the radar system that we are replacing and claimed that it works properly. Well he should also explain why for the past ten years there was a proliferation of drugs, guns and human trafficking into Trinidad and Tobago. We had record drug trafficking, murders and violence for ten years because of people and equipment that failed at their jobs,” she said.
Last Wednesday, when questioned by the media about the presence of US aircraft and marines in Tobago, the Prime Minister did not divulge any information about the radar and instead said the US marines were assisting with the runway at the new ANR Robinson International Airport.
When pressed further on Thursday, she admitted that a radar system was being installed, and said she withheld the information to avoid alerting criminal networks.
Asked if she still held this position or upon reflection felt she ought to have informed citizens, the Prime Minister said she never takes reckless decisions regarding the safety of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
“In situations involving classified security issues, the priority must be protecting our country and our people, and that limits what I can say. Even when I cannot comment publicly, the Government is engaged, informed, and acting within the responsibilities entrusted to it.
“I will not disclose sensitive information about matters under classification, regardless of political pressure or commentary. I don’t think it’s wise to broadcast to local and transnational criminal networks our national security and intelligence gathering plans,” she said.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump declared that Venezuela’s airspace should be considered closed, triggering fear and panic that Trinidad and Tobago’s airspace was also affected. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge assured at a news conference in Tobago later on Saturday that T&T’s airspace remains open.
The Prime Minister reiterated this yesterday, cautioning against fake information circulating on social media.
“The majority of the population are not fooled by fake information. Some of these posts are political, some mischievous and some are just lonely people farming for likes and comments. We had 40,000 people in Tobago partying for their carnival and we had thousands in San Fernando celebrations. Citizens are not fooled by the fake posts,” she said.
Asked for her opinion about President Trump’s declaration of a no-fly zone over Venezuela, the Prime Minister responded: “That is between President Trump and (Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro). We are focused on our national security interests only.”
Persad-Bissessar has repeatedly stated that the US presence in T&T is focused on narco-trafficking and joint training with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF).
Asked how she would respond to those who still believe the US is using T&T as a launch pad for action against Venezuela, she replied:
“They can believe what they want, according to their intelligence level, but the facts speak for themselves. Murders are 40 per cent down, boats have ceased smuggling drugs, guns and humans from Venezuela. Drugs and illegal gun prices are up because of scarcity and fish prices remain the same. Facts are facts. It’s pointless to spend time trying to convince persons who want to deliberately misrepresent and misunderstand anything I say.”
The Prime Minister thanked the US for its assistance.
“The US government has never requested any use of Trinidad and Tobago’s territory for any military action against the people of Venezuela.
As I said before, I requested a temporary radar system be installed here, and I am thankful that the US gave us one of the best systems available and the assistance to install and operate it,” she said.
She continued: “At this time we have the best air and sea surveillance that we ever had in our history. We now have to efficiently use the data we get from these systems to effect land and sea interdiction operations.” (Trinidad Express)