00:00The government of Trinidad and Tobago approved the transit of U.S. military aircrafts.
00:04From Bridgetton, Crystal Hoyt gives us the details.
00:08Trinidad and Tobago's government has approved the transit of United States military aircraft through local airports,
00:15describing the move as part of routine logistical cooperation with Washington.
00:20The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CARICOM Affairs says the aircraft will use Piarco and Crown Point airports
00:27in the coming weeks for supply replenishment and personnel rotations.
00:32Officials insist the activity falls within established security arrangements
00:36and does not signal an expanded military presence.
00:40Prime Minister Kamala Prasad-Bassassar has characterized the approvals
00:44as standard coordination between the U.S. military and national security agencies.
00:50The government has not provided details on the number of aircraft involved or the duration of the arrangement.
00:56The decision has sparked political debate.
00:59Opposition Senator and former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Amy Brown has criticized the move,
01:05warning it could weaken Trinidad and Tobago's neutral foreign policy
01:09and fuel perceptions of increased alignment with U.S. military operations in the region.
01:15Analysts remain divided, with some cautioning the move could be viewed unfavorably by Venezuela,
01:20while others say such transit permissions are common among security partners.
01:26As regional tensions persist, the announcement has renewed discussions
01:30over how Trinidad and Tobago balances security cooperation with diplomatic restraint.
01:36Crystal Hoyt, Teleserve, Barbados.
Comments