The United States has strengthened its security cooperation with Trinidad and Tobago following the activation of a new joint task force intended to coordinate military operations against transnational criminal networks in the Western Hemisphere.

The US Embassy in Port of Spain, in a news release yesterday, said the activation of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM) by US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), together with Trinidad and Tobago’s continued participation in the 18-nation Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C), reflected a shared commitment to regional security and the disruption of narco-terrorist networks.

US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Philip Kern said Trinidad and Tobago remained an important regional partner as both countries addressed security threats. “Trinidad and Tobago remains a vital regional partner in confronting complex security challenges that threaten our shared stability,” Kern said in the release.