Security expert Norman Dindial has voiced his opinion that the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition (ACCC) is not a necessary tool for Trinidad and Tobago to tackle its drug and crime issues. Dindial argues that utilizing military action, such as bombing drug traffickers, won’t eradicate organised crime. This is because criminal networks have the capacity to quickly substitute leaders and restore operations. Instead, Dindial recommends focusing on enhancing policing, investigations, evidence collection, and legal proceedings. He also points out that the real challenges stem from corruption and criminal links within the government, justice system, and legal economy. These issues demand action from law enforcement and the judicial system, not the military. Keron Niles, an international relations expert at the University of the West Indies, supports this view, warning that backing militarised anti-cartel actions could result in long-term risks for Trinidad and Tobago, such as retaliation from criminal organisations. These comments follow Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s decision to sign the country onto the ACCC at the Shield of the Americas Summit, a US-led initiative endorsed by Donald Trump advocating the use of military power to combat drug cartels throughout the Americas.
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