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Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers has dismissed concerns that Trinidad and Tobago could face scrutiny from the United States Congress over its support for US military operations in the Caribbean, according to the Trinidad Guardian. Sobers said the Government stood behind the Attorney General's legal position and saw no need to seek further legal advice about the possibility of the country being implicated in congressional investigations. The Guardian reported that the US Senate and House Armed Services Committees were conducting bipartisan inquiries into military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. Those inquiries include reports that a follow-up attack killed two survivors of an initial strike. The Opposition has warned that Trinidad and Tobago could face questions about its support for the operations and the legal basis for its cooperation. Responding to those concerns, Sobers cited his membership of both Cabinet and the National Security Council and expressed confidence in the Attorney General's position. Attorney General John Jeremie has said the Government obtained advice from an international expert supporting the legality of the US strikes under international law. According to the Guardian, he has disclosed neither the expert's identity nor the substance of that advice. The Government has also said Trinidad and Tobago was not involved in the strikes or in the January 3 operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has specifically said members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force did not participate in the capture operation. The Guardian nevertheless reported that US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Jim Risch publicly praised Trinidad and Tobago's support for regional US law-enforcement efforts in July, referencing Maduro's arrest and extradition. Sobers maintained that the Government had nothing to be concerned about.
Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers has dismissed concerns that Trinidad and Tobago could face scrutiny from the United States Congress over its support for US military operations in the Caribbean, according to the Trinidad Guardian. Sobers said the Government stood behind the Attorney General's legal position and saw no need to seek further legal advice about the possibility of the country being implicated in congressional investigations. The Guardian reported that the US Senate and House Armed Services Committees were conducting bipartisan inquiries into military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. Those inquiries include reports that a follow-up attack killed two survivors of an initial strike. The Opposition has warned that Trinidad and Tobago could face questions about its support for the operations and the legal basis for its cooperation. Responding to those concerns, Sobers cited his membership of both Cabinet and the National Security Council and expressed confidence in the Attorney General's position. Attorney General John Jeremie has said the Government obtained advice from an international expert supporting the legality of the US strikes under international law. According to the Guardian, he has disclosed neither the expert's identity nor the substance of that advice. The Government has also said Trinidad and Tobago was not involved in the strikes or in the January 3 operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has specifically said members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force did not participate in the capture operation. The Guardian nevertheless reported that US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Jim Risch publicly praised Trinidad and Tobago's support for regional US law-enforcement efforts in July, referencing Maduro's arrest and extradition. Sobers maintained that the Government had nothing to be concerned about.
News Desk is the editorial publishing account for Tringlobe Media News, covering breaking news, public affairs, entertainment, community developments and regional stories across Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and internationally.
