ARIMA, Trinidad and Tobago — A letter to the editor on the Kamla Persad-Bissessar smear campaign argues that recent criticism of the prime minister is part of a coordinated effort to undermine her leadership. The author, Curtis Anthony OBRADY, contends that her stance on international security cooperation is being misrepresented amid rising regional crime concerns, following recent debate over Trinidad and Tobago energy recovery.
Full text of the open letter
Letter to the Editor Subject: Explosive Truth, The Smear Campaign Against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Must Be Exposed and Defeated
Dear Editor,
Curtis Anthony OBRADY
35 Pinto Road
Arima
Trinidad and Tobago
Phone: (868)735-7430
Email: curtisobrady42@gmail.com
The recent attacks against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar are not grounded in fact or national interest. They are part of a deliberate propaganda effort aimed at weakening strong leadership at a time when Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean face serious and immediate threats from organized crime, corruption, and narco terrorism.
Let us deal with reality. The Caribbean is a major transit zone for illegal narcotics, weapons, and human trafficking. This is documented in regional security assessments and international reports. Criminal networks operate across borders with precision and coordination. These networks exploit weak enforcement, political hesitation, and lack of regional alignment. The result is clear. Rising violence, increased murder rates, and the erosion of public safety.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has taken a firm and necessary position to confront this reality. Her decision to stand with the United States and international partners in the fight against corruption, organized crime, and narco terrorism is not reckless. It is strategic. It is based on the simple fact that no Caribbean nation can fight these threats alone.
Those who attack this position offer no credible alternative. They speak loudly but say nothing of substance. They do not present a plan to disrupt trafficking routes. They do not propose systems to strengthen intelligence sharing. They do not explain how small island states can independently dismantle transnational criminal networks with limited resources. Their argument collapses under basic scrutiny.
Sovereignty is being used as a slogan to mislead the public. True sovereignty is not isolation. True sovereignty is the ability of a nation to protect its citizens, defend its borders, and secure its future. By strengthening alliances and engaging with global partners, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is exercising sovereignty in its strongest form. She is making decisions that serve the national interest and protect the people.
The data supports her position. Drug trafficking through the Caribbean fuels local gang activity. Illegal firearms enter the region through coordinated smuggling operations. Financial crimes tied to these networks undermine institutions and weaken economies. These are not theoretical concerns. These are daily realities affecting communities across Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has chosen action over delay. She has positioned Trinidad and Tobago as a serious partner in global efforts to combat crime and corruption. This includes cooperation on intelligence, security operations, and financial monitoring. These measures increase the country’s capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to threats.
This is why the entire CARICOM region should give thanks and appreciation to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Her leadership is not limited to national boundaries. It sets a standard for regional response. It demonstrates that Caribbean nations can take decisive action and demand respect on the international stage.
Crime does not respect borders. A shipment that passes through one country affects another. A criminal network operating in one territory often extends into several others. This means that strong action by one leader benefits the entire region. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has taken that step. She has raised the level of engagement and forced a necessary conversation about security and accountability.
The opposition to her stance must be examined carefully. Who benefits from weakening this position. It is not the ordinary citizen. It is not the business community. It is not law enforcement. The only groups that benefit are those who thrive in weak systems. Criminal networks benefit from confusion and division. Corrupt elements benefit when strong leadership is undermined. That is the reality behind the noise.
There is also a pattern. Whenever serious action is taken against entrenched problems, resistance emerges. That resistance often takes the form of misinformation and character attacks. The goal is to create doubt and reduce public support. What we are witnessing now follows that exact pattern. It is not new. It is predictable.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has not wavered. She has maintained a clear and consistent position. She understands that leadership requires making decisions that may be unpopular with certain groups but are necessary for the greater good. That is what separates leadership from politics.
Her approach also strengthens the country’s economic position. Investors look for stability, security, and rule of law. A country that takes strong action against crime sends a clear signal that it is serious about governance. This increases confidence and supports economic growth. Weakness, on the other hand, drives investment away and increases risk.
The argument that international cooperation compromises independence is not supported by evidence. Countries across the world engage in security partnerships to address shared threats. These partnerships are structured to respect national laws and priorities. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has demonstrated the ability to engage globally while maintaining control over national decisions.
The Caribbean has struggled for years with fragmented responses to crime and security. This has allowed criminal networks to expand and adapt. A new approach is required. One that is coordinated, decisive, and backed by strong leadership. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is delivering that approach.
Her stance with the United States is based on practical considerations. The United States has extensive intelligence capabilities, advanced technology, and operational resources that can significantly enhance regional efforts. Working together increases effectiveness and improves outcomes. It is a logical step, not a political gamble.
The people of Trinidad and Tobago deserve protection. They deserve a government that takes threats seriously and acts with urgency. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is fulfilling that responsibility. She is not avoiding the problem. She is confronting it directly.
This propaganda campaign fails because it cannot withstand facts. It relies on emotion and distortion. It ignores data and reality. It attempts to weaken a position that is, in fact, strengthening the country and the region.
The truth is clear. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is leading with purpose. She is making decisions based on evidence. She is standing firm in the fight against corruption, crime, and narco terrorism. She is positioning Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean for a safer and more secure future.
The region should recognize this moment. CARICOM should stand in full support of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. This is not a time for division. It is a time for unity and decisive action.
Yours sincerely,
Curtis Anthony OBRADY
