Trinidad adn Tobago installs USโ radar to Counter Sanctions Evasion โand โtrafficking
The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has announced the installationโข of a US-supplied radar systemโค aimedโ at bolstering theโ countryS security and combating illicit activities. The โฃradar, installed at a new airport, isโค intendedโค to detect the movement ofโข sanctioned Venezuelan oil and disrupt drug and human โtrafficking operations.
The installation followsโข the arrival ofโข the USโ warship USS Gravely in late October as part of a larger US naval deployment to the Caribbean focused on counter-narcotics efforts. Venezuela, facingโ pressure from the United States, has dismissed thes maneuvers as a provocation.
Persad-Bissessar, a strong supporter of former US President Donaldโค Trump, confirmedโ theโฃ radar installation during a November 27th television โขappearance. She stated the system will aid in identifying attemptsโ to evade sanctions on Venezuelan โcrudeโข oil,โ as well as intercept theโ flow of narcotics,โ firearms, ammunition, and migrantsโ entering Trinidad and Tobago from Venezuela.
“Theโ latest equipment enhances our surveillanceโ capabilities and โฃadds a higher layer of protection that was previouslyโ unavailable,” Persad-Bissessar explained.
Theโ US imposed an oil embargo on Venezuela in 2019, โขand sanctions โฃremain in place under the current administration.
The new radar has โsparked criticismโ from the opposition โPeople’s Nationalโค Movementโฃ (PNM). The Prime Minister accused โthe PNM of downplaying the illegal โฃtrafficking originating inโ Venezuela and suggested thier inquiries about the โradar are an attempt to obtain sensitiveโค security informationโฃ to assist โขcriminal โnetworks.
Opposition leader Pennelope Beckles has urgedโ the Prime Minister to present any evidence of wrongdoing to law enforcement.
Venezuelan President Nicolรกs Maduroโฃ has accused Persad-Bissessar ofโฃ collaborating with the US in efforts to overthrow his โgovernment. However,the Prime Minister maintains that Washington has not โrequested to โฃuseโข trinidad and Tobago as aโ launchpad for any attacks against Venezuela.
Recent US militaryโ activity in theโ region includes the destruction of 20 vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific since September,โค resulting in 83 fatalities.
