Body of embassy official repatriated to home state — US Air Force plane lands in Piarco

THE arrival on October 9, of a United States Air Force (USAF) C17 aircraft at Piarco International Airport, set many tongues wagging with social media posts claiming the US military was arriving en masse into Trinidad as part of the ongoing American military action in the Caribbean Sea against Venezuelan narco-terrorists.

However, when Newsday checked with officials of the American embassy in Port of Spain, the explanation given was that the aircraft had arrived to collect and repatriate the body of an embassy official who had died earlier this month.

An embassy official, in response to a query, told Newsday, “The US Embassy confirms that a US military aircraft landed at Piarco International Airport on October 9 to repatriate the remains of our embassy colleague who passed away last week.

“We remain deeply grateful for the caring support of the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago, especially at this difficult time.”

With the arrival of the aircraft, social media users who commented on posts showing photos of the C17 aircraft, were convinced that this was proof that the US military had arrived to use Trinidad and a launch pad for a fresh offensive against Venezuela.

After several hours on the runway, the aircraft departed Piarco on the afternoon of October 9 with the embassy official’s body on board.

Over the past 48 hours, there have been reports among aviation groups on social media of an aircraft being heard over southern Trinidad.

Reshma Kanhai-Ali, who took one several photos of the aircraft from her Chatham, Cedros home, told Newsday the aircraft (or at least what appeared to be the same aircraft) had been flying overhead numerous times every morning since October 7, from as early as 5 am.

“It’s the cleanest picture I’ve taken of it, enough to see the visible NAVY on it. It flew many times again this morning, but there was a lot of clouds, so I couldn’t get any proper pics today,” Kanhai-Ali said.

Some commentators claimed it was the Boeing P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance plane used by the US Navy. The P-8 was among the US military assets deployed to the Caribbean region over the last two months.

Newsday has not yet been able to confirm this with either the US or local authorities. US Southern Command directed Newsday to the White House press team.

Retired Civil Aviation Authority director general Ramesh Lutchmedial told Newsday it was unlikely an aircraft would behave this way in normal aviation practice. He said if it was indeed a US military aircraft, TT authorities such as the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs would be aware of its presence.

“Normally, all military vessels, ships and aircraft are considered state vessels and therefore aren’t subject to civil aviation rules and the operation of state vessels, aircraft and maritime vessels are subject to coordination between the respective agencies of both governments.”

He noted that such arrangements are not typically disclosed to the public, except at the discretion of the government.

Newsday was unable to get a comment from Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers or Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge.

US CALLS OUT TO GRENADA

Meanwhile, the US government has requested permission to temporarily install radar equipment at the Maurice Bishop International Airport in Grenada. A release from that country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development on October 9 confirmed the request but said a decision had not been made yet.

“The ministries of National Security, Legal Affairs and Foreign Affairs are carefully assessing and reviewing the request in technical consultations, in co-ordination with the Grenada Airports Authority and other relevant agencies.

“At this stage, the Government of Grenada is carefully reviewing the request in accordance with established national procedures. Any decisions will be made only after all technical and legal assessments are completed,” the release said.

“We wish to assure our citizens that any decision taken will be guided by Grenada’s sovereignty, public safety, and national interest, including the protection of our tourism industry, the travelling public, and the country’s economic well-being.”

In late August, the Trump administration began deploying military assets to the Caribbean region to combat, what it said, was narco-terrorism coming out of Venezuela.