AS PREPARED
Remarks by Ambassador Candace Bond
Equipment Donation to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast
Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas
September 8, 11:00 a.m.
Good morning. I want to thank the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry of National Security, and the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force, for this gracious and warm reception here today in beautiful Staubles Bay. I also want to thank Rear Admiral Aiken from the U.S. Fourth Fleet for accompanying me. Admiral, your participation today further highlights the importance the United States places on the bilateral defense relationship with Trinidad and Tobago.
These donations are a sign of growing security cooperation between our countries and a symbol that the region is a safer and more prosperous place when the United States and Trinidad and Tobago work together to confront shared challenges.
The challenges that we confront to dismantle illegal networks serves as a reminder that it takes a network to defeat a network, a single organization cannot tackle the problem alone.
Illicit trafficking of drugs, firearms, and people is one such a challenge, and combatting this challenge is an issue of grave concern for both of our countries and the entire region. The goal of strengthening maritime domain awareness is important for the security of our hemisphere.
We hope these donations of operations center equipment and four riverine craft, which represent a $1.6 million investment by the United States in the bilateral defense relationship with the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force, will further cement the steadfast bonds of friendship and cooperation between the people and government of the United States of America and the people and government Trinidad and Tobago. Thank you.