Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar continues to assist Trump in his fight against his war on drugs in a very consequential manner.
The prime minister recently announced that she has given greater access to America to use Trinidad & Tobago as a transshipment hub for military purposes & logistic supplies.
THE Government has granted permission for United States military aircraft to transit local airports in the coming weeks for what it said yesterday were “routine” and “logistical” exercises.
The arrangement was disclosed in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, which said it was “part of ongoing bilateral security cooperation between the two countries”.
“In keeping with established bilateral cooperation, the ministry has granted approvals for United States military aircraft to transit Trinidad and Tobago’s airports in the coming weeks,” Monday’s release stated.
According to the ministry, the United States has advised that “these movements are logistical in nature, facilitating supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations”.
The ministry reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to “sustained cooperation with the United States of America in advancing regional safety, security and stability”. It said, through this partnership, T&T has benefited from joint military training exercises, improved surveillance capabilities, including the installation of an advanced radar system, and collaborative operations that have led to the seizure of millions of dollars’ worth of illegal narcotics.
Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers stated that the Government maintains close engagement with the United States Embassy in T&T and remains committed to cooperation in the interest of national and regional security.
“We welcome the continued support of the United States,” Sobers stated.
According to the release, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has also reaffirmed her government’s support for US collaboration, in the pursuit of safety and security for T&T and the wider region.
The ministry said the US’ support has extended beyond security cooperation to include educational initiatives, school equipment donations and infrastructure enhancement projects. Further details on the aircraft movements would be managed through established diplomatic and aviation channels, officials have said.
Dominican Republic deployment
Meanwhile, the government of the Dominican Republic also yesterday advised that it has authorized several US military aircraft to land in that country in the coming days, as part of an operational support deployment in the Caribbean.
The DR government stated in a release that the aircraft will have temporary permits to operate from restricted areas at San Isidro Air Base and Las Américas International Airport.
The cooperation agreement covers surveillance, transport, and technical support missions. Aircraft which are expected to take part include the KC-130 tanker and the C-130 Hercules, two of the US Air Force’s most versatile and widely used platforms.
The C-130 has been in service since 1954 and is regarded as one of the most successful military transport aircraft in history, regional reports noted. The C-130 was designed for rugged operations during the Cold War and has been used in conflicts including in Vietnam and in operation Desert Storm, as well as major humanitarian missions in Haiti, during Hurricane Katrina and in global disaster zones.
The KC-130, introduced in the 1960s, serves as a tanker and logistics aircraft, enabling aerial refueling for fighter jets, helicopters and drones. It has supported operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, as well as night-time special operations and personnel transport.
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have not disclosed flight schedules or the number of aircraft involved.
The deployment in the Dominican Republic may support maritime and aerial surveillance, movement of sensitive equipment, logistics for regional security operations, in-flight refueling, and transportation of technical personnel.
The mission is said to be part of ongoing security and technical cooperation agreements between both countries.
Kim Boodram