US and Trinidad and Tobago Strengthens Security Cooperation

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The United States Friday announced that it had further strengthened its bilateral relations with Trinidad and Tobago on security cooperation following the activation of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

The US Embassy here said that JTF-WHEM as well as Trinidad and Tobago’s ongoing participation in the 18-nation Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) “reflects a shared commitment to defend sovereignty, strengthen regional security, and confront narco-terrorist networks.

“The purpose-built joint task force will synchronize U.S. military operations alongside trusted Caribbean and Latin American allies, like Trinidad and Tobago, to counter transnational criminal networks, enhance regional maritime interdiction, and respond rapidly to humanitarian crises,” it added.

Chargé d’Affaires Philip Kern said Trinidad and Tobago remains a vital regional partner in confronting complex security challenges that threaten their shared stability.

“Through the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition and SOUTHCOM’s new Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, we are deepening our cooperation to disrupt criminal networks, safeguard critical maritime routes, and ensure a safer, more prosperous Caribbean,” he US diplomat said.

The Embassy said that as part of this long-standing defense partnership, “members of the U.S. military will continue to participate in joint training, capacity-building exercises, maritime interdiction coordination, and disaster response preparedness with Trinidad and Tobago”.