Rowley's government signed SOFA on Dec 10, 2024.

Accustomed to signing symbolic agreements, successive T&T governments may never have expected the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) to actually take effect. Introduced in 2007, ratified in 2013, and repeatedly renewed since, the latest version, signed on December 10, 2024, removed its expiration date altogether.

The U.S. Embassy, not the T&T Government, disclosed this amendment, reportedly catching former Prime Minister Dr. Rowley off guard. When a report suggested SOFA could permit U.S. troop deployment amid tensions in Venezuela, Rowley angrily denied that T&T would serve as a foreign military platform. Yet, U.S. personnel are already present under SOFA, which grants them sweeping privileges and immunity, effectively placing them under U.S. rather than local law.

That puts the former government in a precarious position, simultaneously aligning with Washington while courting Caracas. Regardless of denials, SOFA makes T&T a logistical extension of the U.S. military, exempting American forces from local taxes, duties, and jurisdiction.

The time for ambiguity has passed. Prime Minister Kamla must now be transparent with citizens about the full implications of SOFA and what it truly means for Trinidad and Tobago’s sovereignty and security, since Rowley is clueless!!!!!!

Sarge

The idiot's government signed a document, and he is clueless about it, with his comments.

Editorial

The stupidity of Keith Rowley.

THE INVITATION issued on behalf of Keith Rowley ahead of his November 17 media conference at his home in Diego Martin opened most unusually.“The Office of the Former Prime Minister cordially invites members of the public and media to a press briefing,” it said.If you’ve never heard of the “Office of the Former Prime Minister,” you are not alone. It doesn’t exist. Under the Constitution there is just a prime minister and an opposition leader. As a private citizen, Dr Rowley is free to employ staff. But the uppercase “O” was a dismaying misnomer.

For, it signals the former PNM leader’s resolve to institutionalise his post-retirement penchant for weighing in, solicited or not, in public discourse.Notably, Dr Rowley has called press conferences at his residence on November 17, October 10 and July 21, in addition to his frequent Facebook posts, one of which began with the unconvincing claim, “I have been trying very hard to stay out.”

Messaging was not the former prime minister’s forte. But he seems unwilling to let it become Ms Beckles’ forte, too. His constant interventions hinder her ability to define a new approach to speaking with the public in the wake of April 28. That speaks volumes about Dr Rowley’s political judgement or lack thereof. Moreover, it mars his overall governance legacy.Former US presidents like Barack Obama nowadays stay engaged in public life. Kamla Persad-Bissessar was boisterous after she was voted out in 2015. But Mr Obama is the exception, not the norm. And Ms Persad-Bissessar was opposition leader. Dr Rowley is not. He should let Ms Beckles do her job.

Here is Rowley's comments...

It shows how clueless he was when in the position of PM for a decade.😡

Rowley, stfu....

SOFA....

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT

Trinidad and Tobago has an updated Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States, which came into effect on January 1, 2025. The new SOFA, signed in 2024, allows for military-to-military engagement and troop deployment. It updates the 2007 agreement to align with current U.S. and T&T laws, clarifies that U.S. law enforcement officers can carry firearms and wear their uniforms in T&T, and grants U.S. military commanders the authority to discipline their personnel deployed in the country. 

 Introduced in 2007, ratified in 2013, and repeatedly renewed since, the latest version, signed on December 10, 2024, removed its expiration date altogether.

Key aspects of the agreement

• Military-to-military engagement: The agreement facilitates cooperation between the military forces of both countries, including the deployment of U.S. advisory and logistical personnel.
• Troop deployment: It allows for U.S. troops to be stationed in Trinidad and Tobago and for U.S. military personnel to deploy there in response to natural disasters.
• Legal and disciplinary authority: The SOFA grants U.S. commanders the authority to discipline their own servicemen and requires the Trinidad and Tobago government to waive its right to exercise criminal and civil jurisdiction over U.S. personnel for alleged crimes.
• Immunity for civilians: Civilian employees of the Department of Defence, as well as military personnel, are also eligible for immunities under the agreement, although it does not cover civilian contractors.
• Logistics: It provides for U.S. military vessels, vehicles, and aircraft to be waived from certain fees at ports and airports. U.S. military personnel are permitted to move throughout the country, in uniform and armed, subject to restrictions from the T&T government.
• Disputes: Disputes will be resolved through consultations between the two parties, rather than third-party adjudication.