UK Intelligence-Sharing Report Denied by T&T Prime Minister

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar has dismissed as fake news a CNN report claiming the United Kingdom was withholding intelligence from the United States over Caribbean anti-drug operations, warning that the story is part of “blatant attempts to undermine ongoing efforts to confront narco-traffickers and organised crime.”

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Persad-Bissessar said the report, which was also circulated by local outlets, was false. She added that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Rubio has refuted the story internationally.

“Once again, a false report was irresponsibly repeated by some local outlets and presented to our citizens as fact,” the Prime Minister said. “Our government remains committed to close cooperation with the United States in tackling transnational criminal networks.”

She said that the Caribbean cannot be considered a zone of peace while powerful drug cartels continue to destabilize the region. Persad-Bissessar also highlighted efforts to strengthen national security systems to combat the flow of drugs, firearms, and human trafficking, warning that illicit trade has fueled decades of violence and instability.

The original CNN report claimed the UK had paused intelligence sharing with the US over concerns that military strikes against suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean were illegal. According to the report, the strikes had killed dozens and provoked skepticism from other US allies, including Canada and Colombia, both of which reportedly suspended or limited intelligence cooperation.