Caption: Roger Alexander. Photo: T&T Parliament

Summary

• Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander says the US has provided Trinidad and Tobago with a list of persons of interest linked to drugs, guns and violent crime.
• The intelligence sharing is tied to Trinidad and Tobago joining the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition.
• The coalition, led by the US, aims to coordinate intelligence sharing, law enforcement and military cooperation among member countries.
• Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana are the only Caribbean countries participating alongside 17 Latin American nations.
• Alexander said the partnership will strengthen the country’s efforts to combat organised crime while T&T remains under a state of emergency.

HOMELAND Security Minister Roger Alexander says the United States has provided Trinidad and Tobago with a list of “persons of interest” in the country linked to illegal drugs, firearms and violent crime.

Alexander told the Express newspaper that while he could not disclose many details for national security reasons, the information highlights the importance of the support the United States is providing to Trinidad and Tobago.

He said some people had been commenting on the issue without understanding the significance of Trinidad and Tobago becoming a signatory to the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, an initiative designed to coordinate intelligence sharing, law enforcement and military operations among participating countries.

The coalition is an initiative of US President Donald Trump. Apart from Trinidad and Tobago, the only other Caribbean country participating is Guyana. The remaining signatories are from 17 Latin American countries.

“I support this move as the Homeland Security Minister, so much so that when it happened I was totally moved because this is something completely different. It’s an initiative that could only happen under the current government led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar,” Alexander said.

He added that the United States gathers a “massive amount” of intelligence on countries, organisations and individuals involved in criminal activity.

“And they know exactly who they can work with and who they can trust with respect to their security efforts and combating cartels and narco-traffickers,” he said.

Alexander also said the US has expressed confidence in working with the Trinidad and Tobago Government as both countries strengthen their security cooperation.

The United States has carried out several kinetic strikes against suspected drug boats in the region since September 2025, killing more than 100 people, including nationals from Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia.

Alexander said that while force must be used in accordance with the law, a stronger and more aggressive approach is needed to tackle criminal networks.

“We support aggressive action against those persons who continue to kill our citizens through their trafficking. They are killing the entire society with their nefarious activities which impact our youth,” he said.

 

“We are fed up. We want citizens to look like and act and appear to be the future leaders of tomorrow, not a whole heap of pipers walking around.”

Alexander also noted that Trinidad and Tobago is currently under a state of emergency as authorities seek to address rising crime.

He said the alliance with the United States could help the country better confront the threats posed by organised crime and narcotics trafficking.

“It will strengthen us. And again, this alignment will create history in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said. (CMC)