(Trinidad Guardian) Trinidad and Tobago and other Caricom states are expected to benefit from US$130 million in financial assistance from US President Barack Obama to deal with crime and security in the region. This was revealed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday in an interview with the T&T Guardian following the conclusion of the Sixth Summit of the Americas in Colombia.
PM Persad-Bissessar, who has lead responsibility for security within Caricom’s quasi-Cabinet, and other Caribbean leaders met with Obama for one hour on Saturday evening. She said she was happy about the outcome of the discussions, as assistance to one nation in the region would effectively be assistance to all Caricom nations. PM Persad-Bissessar said the initiatives, for which the money will be used, will be given in due course.
Asked to comment specifically on the summit, the PM said it was “useful” as it provided an opportunity for T&T to network with other nations. She said this was done in the interest of promoting “Brand T&T.” PM Persad-Bissessar said T&T had bilateral discussions with Brazil and Guatemala and other nations.
In her address to delegates at the summit, Persad-Bissessar called on the OAS heads to encourage prompt action to enhance safety and security levels for the people of the Americas. “We must act decisively on crime and violence in ways that make a difference,” Persad-Bissessar added.
