Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has reiterated the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) position, which ensures that the Caribbean remains “a zone of peace.”
His comments came following a question posed to him at a press conference recently, concerning a decision made by Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar in relation to the United States Navy’s deployment near Venezuela.
In a statement last week, Persad-Bissessar reiterated her government’s firm support for the United States Navy’s deployment near Venezuela, declaring that Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign and domestic policy will be guided by a “Trinidad and Tobago first” approach for the next five years.
The Trump administration has framed the deployment as part of a counter-narcotics mission targeting Latin American drug cartels, particularly Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, which it accuses of fueling the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. White House officials have stated that the operation aims to intercept smuggling vessels, gather intelligence, and potentially conduct precision strikes against cartel-linked infrastructure. President Trump has designated several cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, opening the door to expanded military action under counter-terrorism.
In a detailed statement to Guardian Media, Persad-Bissessar defended her position against criticism from regional leaders and opposition figures, emphasizing that the U.S. has the operational capacity to disrupt transnational drug and arms trafficking networks. She stated that cooperation with Washington is intended to protect—not undermine—the Caribbean region.
“As you know, many years ago, the Community: Caribbean and Latin American countries, and also CARICOM declared the Caribbean as a zone of peace, and we would like for this to remain a zone of peace,” Skerrit said. “Because any military action in the Caribbean would have serious negative impacts on the way of life of every single citizen in the Caribbean and Latin America.”
Skerrit continued, “and so we would urge caution on this because any misunderstanding can flare up into something that none of us really want.”
Meanwhile, on the issue of fighting drugs, Skerrit said his government has always been at the forefront of playing its part in the fight against narcotics and trafficking of firearms and ammunitions, “ and this government has been unrelenting with its efforts in joining international and regional partners in ensuring that this monster of the presence of drugs, ammunition and guns are not on our streets and in the hands of our children and our society and we are very firm on this.”
“We would like to ensure that we continue to fight this, but we would certainly want to ensure that the Caribbean remains a zone of peace and that we call on cooler heads to prevail, so that we can enjoy the peace and tranquility that this region has been known for,” he reiterated.
Skerrit went on to state that this is a reiteration of CARICOM’s position on this matter as done in previous circumstances.
“ But in respect to the views expressed by the government, I have never been in the business of criticizing any Head of State in stating their own position on any particular matter,” he noted.
Uncle best you shut ur mouth cause US ships have ALWAYS been. Of the coast of Venezuela and Columbia and Panama . Just because Trump bolster the number of ships there. And the media make a big song and dance about it you coming and run your mouth before doing a little bit of research .
Wasn’t it Venezuela that sent troops across the border into Columbia and Columbia thought them a lesson about crossing borders .and wasn’t it also Venezuela who has deployed troops on the Guyana border claiming that half there country is there own . And said troops have been shooting at Guyanese border patrols . So you talking about peace ? Best u shut up and go and build more on that wall u have morne Daniel cause every time I pass there the wall going higher
Know ur role and shut ur mouth whe u see big man protecting there citizens. Something that u have failed to do over and over again
The Caribbean has never been a “zone of peace” that’s a misconception. Currently, Jamaica and Trinidad are among the murder capitals of the world. Haiti is being run by gangsters and warlords. In the 1960’s Fidel Castro invited Russian nuclear war heads and pointed the directly at Washington threatening nuclear annihilation. In 1983 Dame Eugenia Charles in her capacity as chair of the OECS invited the US military to invade Grenada. In more recent times Skerrit himself has invited RSS troops onto Dominica to terrorise the people of Salisbury, are can go on and one but I think the point has been made…
As we speak the US Navy attacked a ship from Venezuela,loaded with drugs and killed the 11 passengers on board. I hope those corrupt leaders in the Caribbean are heading for shelter because Trump is not just after Maduro
When PM Skerrit opened the doors of Dominica wide open to the Chinese, he destroyed that zone of peace, so much so that he pushing out Dominicans from their properties to make room for Chinese. Doesn’t pm think one day the blood of Dominicans will be shed by CBI Chinese
Oh how I wish the US would pick up Mr Skerrit even before they would pick up Maduro
My colleague, stop talking from the three sides of your mouth
The region must remain a ZONE OF PEACE, but ALL CARICOM Alba membres have already expressed their support for Maduro knowing fully well he doesn’t believe in democracy. On Sunday August 31st shots were fired by Venezuelan bandits at Guyanese soldiers and policemen transporting ballots for Guyana’s elections held Monday gone. Somebody forget Guyana is a CARICOM member it seems
I too, want PEACE
Alas Dominica, laugh alone I can laugh! When Maduro troops were in Guyana on the Guyana land that Maduro claims is Venezuela’s, what did Skerrit say? Where was the region of peace? lol
u are . big man…so don’t tremble….a little warship…have u tebba so….if they want u…they know where to get u….in morne Daniel in your bunkers…so…no need to tremble….
Great words Prime Minister!
You are a true West Indies black leader and not a lackey of the imperialism!
Now the journalist should ask Trumpet about the Fort Bragg Cartel…
I think when it comes to international affairs and geopolitics, it would be far less embarrassing for our country if Skerrit kept his trap shut.
The deployment of ships of this nature with missiles and landing crafts, etc, have nothing to do with fighting against drugs. Absolutely nothing. The only reason i won’t call it an invasion yet, is because 7000 or 8 000 marines can’t invade Venezuela. They will all DIE.
America and NATO invaded Iraq on the premise that it had weapons of mass destruction, when Iraq did not have even a bottle of chlorox. Colin Powell even had a little bottle with some liquid in it at the UNSC.
I never trust what America or Western Media says about countries or people they do not like.
Trump and Satanyahu are the real criminals that deserve arrest for genocide in Gaza.
MEME
Mr must be an idiot
The us navy has ALWAYS had ships deployed in the Caribbean. Just because the US media is making a big song and dance about it cause TRUMP bolstered the ships he has in the Caribbean . You coming and run your mouth now
My broda best you shut up and go and build the wall around ur house in Morne Daniel a little bit higher cause that alone u seem to be doing them days
The Caribbean is peaceful. It’s Venezuela that’s causing the trouble . Deploying troops on the Guyana border trying to steal there land. And then trying to argravate Columbia but they not taking his crap .
The prime minister of Trinidad knows what they have to deal with why they agreed to foreign intervention. It’s always the people who have no idea what’s going on who have the loudest opinions. Maybe some of you should go live around these areas so you can understand
….Why?
A CBI agent is now facing gun charges no comment from you , you brought foreign mercenaries to the village of Salisbury to shoot your own people , your wife said she has snipers and navy seals threatening your own people because of elections , but now the region should remain a zone of peace. Maybe its a Venezuela first policy because of the missing millions from Petro Carib that went unanswered.
God bless my US Navy.