PM Defends Joining Americas Counter Cartel Coalition
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC is defending Trinidad and Tobago’s decision to join the ‘Americas Counter Cartel Coalition,’ insisting the country’s crime crisis cannot be solved on its own.
Just a couple of days after leaving the United States, where she participated in the Shield of the Americas Summit, the Prime Minister made her case for T&T signing on to the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition in the Lower House on Friday.
She noted that transnational drug cartels, illegal firearms and organised gangs continue to pose an unprecedented threat to small island states like Trinidad and Tobago.
« You know we have an expression ‘no man is an island’ and therefore our crime crisis cannot be solved in isolation, cannot be solved alone. So these networks, they move cocaine, they move heroin, they move synthetic drugs, what is called fentanyl, they move them through our waters and ports. And what happens in return? In return, while these are moving, illegal firearms, arms trafficking, illicit money flow back into our communities. »
The Prime Minister outlined the key commitments agreed to by coalition members when the proclamation was signed on March 7th.
« Criminal cartels and foreign terrorist organisations in our hemisphere, Western Hemisphere, must be fully dismantled. The USA and its allies, including T&T, will coordinate to deprive these organisations of financing, resources, and territory. »
Mrs. Persad-Bissessar assured that this country stands to benefit directly, particularly through intelligence sharing and strengthened border security.
« Through this coalition that we have formed, law enforcement agencies will share real-time intelligence on trafficking, on trafficking routes, on gang leaders, on financial networks and weapons shipments. And so, with better intelligence sharing, our forces here in the security can act faster and more effectively. »
The Prime Minister also addressed concerns raised by those who fear closer cooperation with the United States would erode national sovereignty.
« Our participation in America’s counter-cartel coalition reflects our commitment to regional cooperation in tackling transnational crime, whilst at the same time, we maintain full control over our national decisions and policies. »
Mrs. Persad-Bissessar also sought to address ‘concerns’ from the Opposition on whether she met with the US President.
« During the summit, I had the honour of speaking directly with President Trump and thanking him for his support of Trinidad and Tobago and the region. »
The Prime Minister noted that this was the first time in 50 years that a Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago was invited by the President of the United States.
