debut: 2/16/17
40,924 runs
US military presence in Caribbean: Regional ministers hoping for meeting with Trump regime
Caricom and Foreign Affairs ministers who have sought a meeting with the United States on its military deployment in the region are awaiting a reply and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s strong stance on the US presence has been slammed by Jamaica’s Gleaner newspaper in an editorial.This, as US-Venezuela tensions continue rising after the US’ military presence in the region leading an international coalition—of which T&T is a part—against drug cartels. Last week, US missiles destroyed boat allegedly carrying drugs, killing 11. The vessel was linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua criminal network.
Subsequent reports of Venezuelan military aircraft flying over US warships two days in a row were met with US moves to send ten stealth fighter jets to the region this week.US President Donald Trump also warned that Venezuelan aircraft would be shot down if they repeated flyovers and “Venezuela would be in trouble.”Trump has previously sidestepped query on whether the US mission is actually centred on Venezuelan regime change, as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says. Yesterday, when asked by a reporter if he was considering attacking Venezuela, Trump, said, “Well, you’re gonna find out.”
Apart from T&T and Guyana’s support for the US’ initiative, Francis Fonseca, the Foreign Minister of Belize (which is a Caricom member), also welcomed the Trump administration’s anti-narco-trafficking moves.
Noting the Caribbean’s pride for being a zone of peace, Fonseca said he knew that within Caricom’s community there is concern about what is taking place. He said the issue may more be about communication and knowing what is occurring.Fonseca added, “We’ve had that discussion in Caricom, which is seeking to engage with the US government so we can be better informed on what they’re doing, as our commitment is to ensure the Caribbean remains a zone of peace.”
Caricom and Foreign Affairs ministers who have sought a meeting with the United States on its military deployment in the region are awaiting a reply and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s strong stance on the US presence has been slammed by Jamaica’s Gleaner newspaper in an editorial.This, as US-Venezuela tensions continue rising after the US’ military presence in the region leading an international coalition—of which T&T is a part—against drug cartels. Last week, US missiles destroyed boat allegedly carrying drugs, killing 11. The vessel was linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua criminal network.
Subsequent reports of Venezuelan military aircraft flying over US warships two days in a row were met with US moves to send ten stealth fighter jets to the region this week.US President Donald Trump also warned that Venezuelan aircraft would be shot down if they repeated flyovers and “Venezuela would be in trouble.”Trump has previously sidestepped query on whether the US mission is actually centred on Venezuelan regime change, as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says. Yesterday, when asked by a reporter if he was considering attacking Venezuela, Trump, said, “Well, you’re gonna find out.”
Apart from T&T and Guyana’s support for the US’ initiative, Francis Fonseca, the Foreign Minister of Belize (which is a Caricom member), also welcomed the Trump administration’s anti-narco-trafficking moves.
Noting the Caribbean’s pride for being a zone of peace, Fonseca said he knew that within Caricom’s community there is concern about what is taking place. He said the issue may more be about communication and knowing what is occurring.Fonseca added, “We’ve had that discussion in Caricom, which is seeking to engage with the US government so we can be better informed on what they’re doing, as our commitment is to ensure the Caribbean remains a zone of peace.”
