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Prime Minister Kamla Persad‑Bissessar addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, announcing that Trinidad and Tobago will use its forthcoming seat on the Security Council to confront the illegal movement of firearms and narcotics into the Caribbean.
She identified the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons as a top priority for the country’s 2027‑2028 term, stressing that the flow of illegal firearms remains a major security concern for both Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region.
The Prime Minister warned that Caribbean nations do not produce the weapons that fuel violence, yet they suffer from their availability. Illegal firearms fuel gun violence, organized crime, drug trafficking and loss of life across island societies.
Trinidad and Tobago will advocate for stronger international cooperation, including enhanced tracing mechanisms, greater information sharing, and improved border and maritime controls. The country also seeks closer collaboration between source, transit and destination states.
Persad‑Bissessar linked the problem to narcotics trafficking and illicit financial flows, arguing that transnational organized crime can threaten stability even in the absence of conventional armed conflict.
The nation is preparing to serve as a non‑permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027‑2028 term, positioning itself to influence global policy on illicit arms and drug trade.
