Trinidad and Tobago's authority admires the strike and advocates for the brutal elimination of all drug traffickers by US authorities.
In a surprising turn of events, US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the US military had targeted a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the southern Caribbean. The boat, which departed from Venezuela, reportedly resulted in the deaths of 11 people on board.
Trump stated that the vessel was operated by Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang. However, the White House did not immediately explain how the military determined this fact.
The incident has sparked a series of reactions from Caribbean leaders. Barbadian Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds wrote a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, requesting prior notice for any future military operations within the Caribbean. Symmonds aims to avoid surprises and maintain mutual confidence through ongoing dialogue.
Trinidad and Tobago's prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, praised the US strike, stating that restricting illegal guns, drugs, and human trafficking would decrease violence in the Caribbean region and Trinidad and Tobago. Persad-Bissessar expressed no sympathy for drug traffickers, suggesting that they should be killed "violently."
However, other Caribbean leaders were more reserved in their remarks regarding the incident. Colombian President Gustavo Petro questioned the operation, suggesting that drug shipments can be intercepted without attacking vessel occupants. Petro also claimed that the operation violates the principle of proportionality of force and amounts to murder.
The US announced last month its plans to boost its maritime force in waters off Venezuela to combat threats from Latin American drug cartels. According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the drugs aboard the vessel were likely headed to Trinidad or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Trinidad and Tobago has imposed two state of emergencies in recent months due to violence and addiction issues. The country has been grappling with a rise in crime and drug-related problems, making the US action a potentially welcome move for some.
The letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorizing military operations in the Caribbean without prior notification or explanation was written by President Trump himself. Trump ordered the military action against the Venezuelan drug-trafficking boat and defended the operation as necessary to send an unmistakable message to Latin American cartels.
The incident has sparked a debate among regional leaders about the appropriate response to drug trafficking and the role of external powers in the Caribbean. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this incident will shape the region's future relations with the US and other international actors.
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