PRIME MINISTER DISAGREES WITH CHIEF SECRETARY ON US RADAR; CALLS REFERENDUM TALK “JUMPING THE GUN”
PRIME MINISTER DISAGREES WITH CHIEF SECRETARY ON US RADAR; CALLS REFERENDUM TALK “JUMPING THE GUN”
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly disagreed with recent statements made by THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine regarding the presence of US military assets in Tobago.
Responding to Augustine’s comment that he would remove the radar and block US aircraft if he « had his way, » the Prime Minister retorted that the Chief Secretary « doesn’t have his way. » She defended the utility of the radar system, citing its success in drug interdiction and the seizure of millions of dollars in illicit narcotics—a problem she noted is particularly acute in Trinidad.
Persad-Bissessar also highlighted the benefits of the military partnership, pointing to the humanitarian work, school upgrades, and training exercises provided to local forces. While she acknowledged Augustine is entitled to his opinion, she made it clear she does not share his views on the matter.
When pressed on whether she would honour the results of Augustine’s proposed 2026 island-wide referendum on autonomy, the Prime Minister pushed back against the query. She accused the interviewer of « loading the question » and « jumping the gun, » stating that the country must first wait to see if the referendum actually takes place and examine its terms of reference before any commitment can be given.
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