Trinidad and Tobago officials have rejected suggestions that the government influenced Washington's decision to cancel the visa of Gary Aboud, an NGO leader who recently criticized American naval deployments near Venezuela. The US Embassy notified Aboud, corporate secretary of Fishermen and Friends of the Sea, that his entry privileges were withdrawn after new information emerged about potential inadmissibility. Aboud characterized the move as part of efforts to silence civil society groups, though he expressed support for legitimate anti-trafficking operations while opposing what he termed extrajudicial killings at sea.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar strongly disputed any connection between her administration and the visa cancellation, emphasizing that immigration matters fall exclusively under American jurisdiction. She defended the expanded US military presence in Caribbean waters as effective in reducing illicit trafficking flows and maintained her position that violent criminals must be confronted aggressively. The deployment has drawn criticism from United Nations human rights officials and regional leaders concerned about military strikes on vessels in international waters.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar strongly disputed any connection between her administration and the visa cancellation, emphasizing that immigration matters fall exclusively under American jurisdiction. She defended the expanded US military presence in Caribbean waters as effective in reducing illicit trafficking flows and maintained her position that violent criminals must be confronted aggressively. The deployment has drawn criticism from United Nations human rights officials and regional leaders concerned about military strikes on vessels in international waters.
