The Commander of the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, Wednesday ended a two-day visit to Grenada and Antigua aimed at strengthening the longstanding security cooperation Washington shares with both countries.
‘Today’s stop in Grenada and yesterday’s visit to Antigua and Barbuda strengthened the longstanding security cooperation we share with both nations, partnerships which are vital to efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations and illicit traffickers who threaten the Caribbean and our homeland,’ according to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Barbados.
The Embassy said that he wrapped up his visit to the Caribbean ‘after meeting with Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) Acting Commissioner Randy Connaught to discuss bilateral efforts to address security threats in Grenada and the region’.
The Embassy said while in Antigua Holsey met with Antigua and Barbuda Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Telbert Benjamin, ‘to discuss strengthening cooperation and efforts to address shared challenges that affect this region, including transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking, and border security.
‘Our efforts to strengthen partnerships in the Caribbean are vital to combat transnational criminal organizations and illicit traffickers who threaten the region and our homeland,’ it added.
It said that in his discussions with Prime Minister Gaston Browne, they discussed ‘Caribbean security and the deepening of both nations’ bilateral defense partnership.
‘This partnership is integral to the region’s collective efforts to advance Caribbean security and stability. Our efforts to strengthen partnerships in the Caribbean are vital to combat transnational criminal organizations and illicit traffickers who threaten the region and our homeland,’ it added.
Holsey’s visit to Grenada comes against the disclosure by the Dickon Mitchell government that the United States had written seeking permission to install radar equipment and associated technical personnel at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA).
The government said that ‘any decisions on that matter will be made only after all technical and legal assessments are completed.
‘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 traveling public, and the country’s economic well-being,’ it added.
But former Senate president and trade unionist, Chester Humphrey and former foreign affairs minister, Peter David, have publicly come out against such a request, with Humphrey saying he is prepaed to lead a peaceful protest march.
Humphrey said that the move by Washington is a precursor to launching a military strike against the Nicolás Maduro government in the Venezuela.
David, an independent legislator, said in a statement that while Grenada values its longstanding partnerships with both the United States and Venezuela, any actions taken must be rooted in diplomacy, mutual respect, and regional cooperation.