Caption: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the US Southern Command in Miami

Summary

• Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar met with senior officials of the United States Southern Command to discuss security cooperation and the fight against narcotrafficking.
• She invited the command’s leader to visit Trinidad and Tobago, with a possible trip before the end of 2026.
• Talks also explored expanding partnerships in cybersecurity, forensics and ballistic support to strengthen national and regional security.

 

By Sue-Ann Wayow

COMMANDER of the United States Southern Command, Admiral Alvin Holsey Donovan, may visit Trinidad and Tobago this year.

Donovan was invited to visit the country by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar when she met with him on Monday.

Persad-Bissessar met with Donovan, US Southern Command Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Pettus, Foreign Policy Advisor Ambassador Stephanie Syptak-Ramnath, Command Senior Enlisted Leader Sgt Maj Rafael Rodriguez, and other members of the command’s senior leadership.

The Office of the Prime Minister stated in a press release that the meeting focused on the continued partnership between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago in the areas of national security, regional security and the fight against narcotrafficking.

Persad-Bissessar’s meeting with the US Southern Command was based on an invitation from the United States government, “given our strong support, determined action and dynamic partnership to eliminate the illegal drug trade,” the release stated.

The dialogue was described as “productive and fruitful.”

“My deliberations were focused on strengthening cooperation to ensure a safer and more secure Trinidad and Tobago at every level,” Persad-Bissessar said.

She said she was pleased that Donovan expressed gratitude for her government’s leadership in the region, noting that its efforts have significantly impacted the fight against the illegal drug trade.

Persad-Bissessar said: “Based on this, I reinforced my support for continued and expanded partnerships to fight narcotrafficking, as my main goal is to ensure the total eradication of this plague that has brought grave destruction to Trinidad and Tobago.”

She added: “Today’s meeting was part of my unwavering effort to ensure that my government has all the tools possible to crush the criminal elements that threaten our citizens.”

At the meeting, the prime minister also called for further partnerships and technical cooperation in cybersecurity, forensics and ballistics to strengthen the fight against criminal elements in Trinidad and Tobago.

She said: “I am heartened not only by Southern Command’s commitment to broadening the scope of work to ensure a safer region, but also by the fact that several specific projects were identified for implementation to support Trinidad and Tobago’s security.”

Persad-Bissessar said that after extending an invitation to Donovan, he indicated that a visit to Trinidad and Tobago could take place before the end of 2026.