Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s statement at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where she said the Caribbean can no longer be considered a “zone of peace”, marks a significant shift in the regional security narrative and reflects the advance of transnational organised crime.

This according to regional security expert Dr Garvin Heerah who in a WhatsApp exchange with the Express said Persad-Bissessar’s position underscores Trinidad and Tobago’s posture and intent to confront security challenges with renewed urgency.

Last Friday, the Prime Minister, while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York, argued that the Caribbean was no zone of peace and expressed gratitude to United States President Donald Trump for the US military presence in the region to combat narco-trafficking.