Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
The Israeli Walla! website: We are running out of stockpiles, our forces are exhausted, and the lives of the captives are in danger. It is time for a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Several wounded in an Israeli bombardment of a tent in al-Mawasi, south of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media: Three wounded, three killed in an ongoing operation in the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli artillery shelling targets the outskirts of the town of Shebaa
Al-Qassam Brigades: The targeting took place at the intersection of 'Street 5' with the western line north of Khan Younis
Al-Qassam Brigades: A NIMR armored personnel carrier carrying an Israeli soldier was targeted with an Al-Yassin missile north of Khan Younis
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes

Trinidad PM threatens force against Venezuelan vessels

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 6 Jun 2025 08:52
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is adopting a hardline approach to security, drawing concern after suggesting deadly force at sea against Venezuelan vessels.

Listen
  • x
  • Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivers her speech during the CEO Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Friday, April 10, 2015. (AP)
    Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivers her speech during the CEO Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Friday, April 10, 2015. (AP)

Trinidad-Venezuela tensions are escalating as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced she is considering authorizing the use of deadly force against unidentified Venezuelan vessels entering Trinidad and Tobago's maritime territory.

“We have to take all threats against any incursion into our territory seriously,” Persad-Bissessar stated on Thursday. “I will speak to the Minister of Defense and the Attorney General to seek advice on protections for our Coast Guard to use deadly force on any unidentified vessel entering T&T waters from Venezuela.”

The prime minister’s remarks came shortly after remarks by Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who said a Trinidadian "mercenary" was apprehended in connection with a group allegedly attempting to infiltrate Venezuela. No additional details were provided.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also said the group had entered Venezuela from Trinidad and Tobago, armed with “weapons of war.”

Persad-Bissessar rejected the accusations, labeling Cabello’s statements as “threats” and denying any involvement of Trinidadian nationals in destabilizing activities.

PM responds to rising crime and migrant issues

Since assuming office last month on a security-first platform, Persad-Bissessar has repeatedly emphasized the need to address internal security. Speaking on Thursday, she cited growing concerns over crime allegedly linked to Venezuelan migrants and transnational criminal groups.

Related News

UNC victory brings Kamla Persad-Bissessar back as TT PM

“I warned you all before the elections... yet crime involving Venezuelans continues to increase,” she said. In 2024, the country recorded 623 murders, a rise from 577 the previous year.

Authorities have attributed part of the violence to transnational criminal organizations, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, a gang known for trafficking and violent operations across Latin America.

In a pointed message, the prime minister called on Venezuelan nationals currently residing in Trinidad and Tobago to begin returning to their home country.

“I am advising Venezuelan migrants who are here to please begin returning to your country,” she said, signaling a firmer stance on migration and border control as part of her administration's broader crackdown on security threats.

Wider context

The relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela has grown increasingly strained in 2025, amid mounting diplomatic tensions and security concerns. 

This development has heightened anxiety among Venezuelan migrants residing in Trinidad and Tobago, many of whom fled economic and political instability at home. With border closures and financial restrictions hindering the ability to send aid back to their families, the latest statements have added to a growing sense of uncertainty and vulnerability within migrant communities.

Energy cooperation, once a central pillar of bilateral relations, has also faced major setbacks. The Dragon gas field project, a joint initiative designed to strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s natural gas supply, was thrown into doubt after the US revoked licenses necessary for its development, citing sanctions on Venezuela. The move disrupted plans to expand liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, a sector vital to Trinidad and Tobago's economy.

Despite these challenges, both nations have a history of diplomatic engagement grounded in mutual respect and cooperation. However, the current atmosphere of mistrust, compounded by external pressures, particularly from US policies toward Venezuela, has placed a significant strain on the relationship, casting uncertainty over the future of Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela ties.

Read more: A roundup of Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024

  • Kamla Persad-Bissessar
  • Venezuela
  • Venezuelan migrants
  • Trinidad and Tobago

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS