It Could Happen Here Caribbean Roundtable
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Oct 27, 2025 Join Michael Paarlberg, a political science expert on organized crime in Latin America, and Andrew Sage, a Trinidadian commentator on Caribbean politics, as they explore the U.S. drone strikes in the Caribbean. They discuss the ramifications these strikes have on local governments, particularly Trinidad and Tobago's support for U.S. policy. Topics also include the nature of Tren de Aragua, critiques of counter-narcotics justifications, and the need for regional solidarity focused on civil society rather than state actions.
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US Strikes Target Migrant Networks, Not Big Cartels
- The US has been conducting drone strikes on small Caribbean vessels claiming narco-terrorism links.
- Tren de Aragua mainly traffics people and extorts migrants, not large international drug shipments.
Petro: From Guerrilla Roots To Complex Security Posture
- Colombia's President Gustavo Petro has a guerrilla background but moved into mainstream politics and governs with complex ties to security policy.
- Petro criticizes the US drug-war approach while inheriting deep Colombia–US security cooperation.
Trinidad Fishermen Killed Amid Government Silence
- Andrew described two Trinidadian fishermen killed after a US strike and lack of government response.
- He said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar openly aligned with the US and invited military cooperation.