The government of Trinidad and Tobago has conveyed its “concerns” to the United States about Washington’s travel advisory to the oil-rich twin island republic.
A statement released after talks between Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Emery Browne, Homeland Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy here, Shante Moore on Monday, noted that the matter had been discussed.
The statement said both Browne and Hinds “conveyed the concerns of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago arising from the United States Department of State’s Travel Advisory for Trinidad and Tobago dated November 8, 2022, in which US citizens were advised to were reconsidering travel to Trinidad and Tobago due to “chemistry, terrorism and kidnapping”.
The brief statement said that “after an exchange of views, all parties agreed to continue the ongoing cooperation between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America in an effort to address the issues highlighted by the Travel Council of November 8, 2022 and the burdened burdened”. Affaires undertook to convey the views expressed at the meeting to the US State Department.
In its latest travel advisory, Washington urged Americans to reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago because of crime.
“Exercise extra caution in Trinidad and Tobago due to terrorism and kidnapping. Some areas are at increased risk,” the State Department noted.
He said that US government personnel are prohibited from traveling to certain areas within the capital and that after dark they “are prohibited from traveling to downtown Port of Spain, overlooking Fort George and all the beaches.
“Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Port of Spain. Violent crime, such as murder, robbery, assault, sexual assault, home invasion, and kidnapping, is common. Gang activity, such as drug trafficking, is common. A significant portion of violent crime is gang-related,” according to the Level 3 advisory.
He said terrorists can attack “with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transport hubs, markets/malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events , educational institutions, airports, and other public spaces”.
Last month, Hinds said that Trinidad and Tobago had not had any major terrorist activity “for many years, probably not since 1990.
“We’ve had a few bombings around the country, unfortunately someone lost a leg … and we haven’t had that experience and thank God, I was a little surprised,” Hinds said, adding that the government continues to work together . United States and other friendly governments in dealing with crime and that terrorism is not unique to Trinidad and Tobago.
“But yes, I was a little surprised at this big focus on terrorism considering that terrorism is an opportunistic activity and wherever they have an opportunity to do something, they do it anywhere in the world and in that sense Trinidad and Tobago is just as vulnerable as any other country anywhere in this world,” Hinds added.
