Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced that Trinidad and Tobago will receive additional maritime assets and enhanced security assistance from the United States as part of a broader strategy to combat crime, drug trafficking, and border vulnerabilities.
Speaking on the country’s security challenges, Persad-Bissessar said the government has strengthened border protection measures since taking office, citing improved Coast Guard operations, a fully functional radar system, and increased surveillance of key trafficking corridors. She noted that intelligence reports indicate a decline in the volume of narcotics entering the country from South America, although illicit activity continues along sections of the southern, southwestern, and central coastlines.
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Particular concern remains focused on the coastal stretch between Caroni and Marabella, where mangrove-covered areas and informal settlements have reportedly become hotspots for criminal activity and gang operations.
The Prime Minister revealed that Trinidad and Tobago is expected to receive additional vessels from the United States in the coming months, while American military and intelligence agencies have expanded their cooperation with local authorities. She disclosed that members of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs are already in the country preparing for a larger deployment aimed at supporting national security operations.
According to Persad-Bissessar, the specialized personnel will assist the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and Defence Force through advanced training, logistical support, border protection initiatives, drug interdiction operations, and internal security programmes designed to strengthen the country’s overall security framework.
As Chair of the National Security Council, the Prime Minister said she receives regular intelligence assessments and reports indicating a reduction in major crimes. She credited the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service with successfully disrupting gang networks across several policing divisions. However, she warned that challenges remain, particularly in relation to petty crime, financial fraud, and domestic violence.
Persad-Bissessar argued that years of weak enforcement had contributed to a culture in which some citizens felt emboldened to engage in minor criminal activities without fear of consequences. Addressing the broader issue of gang influence, she stressed that dismantling deeply entrenched criminal organizations would require sustained effort and long-term investment.
The Prime Minister also praised Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro, awarding him an “A” rating for his performance during his first year in office. She credited his leadership with improving operational effectiveness and strengthening the police service’s response to organized crime.
Highlighting international cooperation, Persad-Bissessar said U.S. intelligence agencies have identified individuals, businesses, and financial actors allegedly linked to money laundering operations, drug trafficking networks, and the movement of large sums of U.S. currency out of Trinidad and Tobago. She stated that American authorities have already begun taking action against some of these entities by restricting access to U.S. territory and financial institutions.
The United States is also assisting with physical and digital security upgrades at airports and seaports, measures intended to improve screening capabilities and enhance national border security.
Persad-Bissessar criticized the previous administration for failing to take advantage of available international assistance, arguing that opportunities for enhanced security cooperation had not been fully pursued.
Beyond law enforcement initiatives, she outlined plans to strengthen the country’s financial oversight systems. The government is recruiting additional personnel for the Inland Revenue Division, which she said had previously operated at only 25 percent staffing capacity. Authorities are also upgrading tax administration technology to improve monitoring of financial crimes and strengthen efforts against white-collar criminal activity.
The Prime Minister is currently in the United States attending the funeral of her brother-in-law, Michael L. Ahamad, and is expected to return to Trinidad and Tobago shortly. During her absence, Jearlean John is serving as Acting Prime Minister.
