By Staff Editor

Copyright stabroeknews

(Trinidad Express) As far back as 2023, the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) drew attention to imminent challenges implicating Trinidad and Tobago that were lurking on the horizon because of increasing regional tensions involving the United States, Venezuela and Guyana.

The SSA’s annual report for 2023 warned that these regional tensions between the US, Venezuela and Guyana would inevitably affect and influence the Caricom region’s status as a “Zone of Peace”.

And that it could also impact the Dragon gas field deal with Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, as well as other existing and future Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela energy agreements.

The SSA report, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on Friday, also anticipated that growing Venezuela/Guyana/US tensions could lead to an increased rate of piracy and kidnappings for ransom, as well as increased threats to energy security and infrastructure.

“The escalation in the territorial issues relating to the Essequibo region may further compound the issues affecting Trinidad and Tobago’s national security, particularly as it relates to maritime insecurity and illegal migration,” the report stated.

“The continued smuggling of illegal firearms and ammunition, mainly from the US, and the increasing demand in drug-consuming countries will compound the crime situation with increasing levels of violence in Trinidad and Tobago as criminals compete in the underworld economy.”

The report recommended that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago “continue to encourage a diplomatic solution to the Venezuela-Guyana dispute and bolster T&T maritime security assets in its jurisdiction”.

The SSA report also cautioned that growing global cocaine markets would increase the risk of organised crime groups operating in and out of Trinidad and Tobago.

“Consequently, Trinidad and Tobago’s role as a transshipment point may gain further significance with the following: increased collaborations between criminal gangs, and the strengthening of cross-border criminal networks in narcotics and firearms trafficking, resulting in increased firearm-related crimes and homicides”.

The report also telegraphed that illegal firearm suppliers seeking mechanisms to reduce risks and costs associated with cross-border smuggling, may develop locally 3D printed metal weapons and ammunition, causing further proliferation of firearm usage.

The report identified a dual front attack on the society from the tensions on external and internal fronts, namely the regional tensions and the gangs.

“Trinidad and Tobago’s proximity to Venezuela and Guyana makes it a convenient and strategic location for the smuggling of cocaine and other narcotics, fuelling a rise in gang violence and an influx of illegal guns. In 2023, the continued nexus between gangs and the issuing of legitimate contracts as well as gang territorial disputes, resulted in the use and application of extreme violence, along with an alarming trend of extorting businesses for protection money…

“T&T gangs continue to control access to State resources in the community and this includes social services and employment. The control of the gangs, their access to resources and their displays of wealth and influence contribute to their persistence in impoverished areas and to the spread of a gang subculture within the society…This spread has intensified with gangs’ expansion into the music industry.

“Further, ‘Trinibad’ music is inciting and intensifying existing levels of violence expressed by youth throughout Trinidad and Tobago. The perceived disrespect between some gang members and leaders infused with the lyrical content of ‘Trinibad’ music continues to manifest through the more devious expressions of violence and murders,” the report stated.

The report noted that Trinidad and Tobago’s major gangs were increasing in size and influence, and that smaller unaligned hybrid gangs, which are technologically savvy and which engage in diverse criminal enterprises simultaneously, were also increasing in quantity.

“Incarcerated gang leaders continued to sanction criminal activities, including targeted killings, narcotics ventures and extortion from prisons, which contributed to the worsening crime landscape in 2023,” the report stated.

It said the State had sought to reduce the impunity by which incarcerated gang leaders can influence criminal activity from the confines of prison. “Increasingly observed in 2023 was the proliferation and emergence of hybrid gangs and the amalgamation of some gangs for economic gain…The gang culture in Trinidad and Tobago is escalating and becoming more entrenched across several communities, posing a severe threat throughout the country,” the report noted.

The report said the threat level associated with criminal gangs in 2023 was high, with the escalation in violent crimes attributed to vicious gangs fighting increasingly over a range of criminal markets, particularly drug blocks, geographic spheres of influence for robberies and extortion, and social media influence associated with the music industry and the ‘Trinibad’ genre.

Increase in illegal migration from Venezuela

The report also noted the law enforcement community had been penetrated.

“Another challenge has been the reports of collusion between a recalcitrant minority of military and law enforcement personnel and the gamut of organised criminal groups and criminal gangs. Our agency continuously provides intelligence advice to our external stakeholders to mitigate these challenges, in keeping with our legislative mandate,” the report stated.

It noted serious crimes that increased in 2023 as compared to 2022 included fraud, larceny of motor vehicles, rape, incest and sexual offences, robberies, serious indecency and wounding and shootings.

The report noted illegal migration, primarily from Venezuela, will continue to be a significant regional concern, placing further stress on the capacity of the Trinidad and Tobago border management systems—including the Coast Guard, Defence Force and Immigration.

The report said law enforcement recorded increased incidents of human smuggling and child prostitution operations in the Caribbean.

“In addition to social conditions that continue to fuel northbound migration, officials noted the presence of human trafficking operations by Chinese nationals operating in The Bahamas and the increased movement of nationals from Asia—particularly from China and India, Africa and Central American countries into the region,” it said.

It predicted there would be increased incidents of child/human trafficking into the region as vulnerable persons attempt to flee countries in socio-political decline.

The report also warned about the increased use of cyberattacks as a destabilisation tactic against State agencies and private sector companies resulting in the theft of confidential information and disruption of essential sectors.

It also predicted the increased adoption of artificial intelligence by malign actors to execute their agendas.

“Trinidad and Tobago’s high Internet penetration and (high) digitisation drive increase (its) vulnerability to malicious actors owing to the lack of laws and mechanisms to prevent and/or mitigate cyberattacks. Thus increased attacks against private and State institutions are likely,” the report stated.

It added that the virtual space may provide fertile ground for gangs, violent extremist groups and other potential threat actors to propagate anti-State messaging, engage in recruitment, and co-ordinate criminal activities.

On the issue of cyberattacks, it said of concern was the fact that there were over 200 cyber-incidents throughout Trinidad and Tobago reported to the Cyber Security Incident Response Team.

“Trinidad and Tobago faced several high-profile attacks with authorities stating that the majority of ministries and State agencies remain highly vulnerable to cyberattacks,” the report observed.

On the issue of illicit fentanyl trafficking, the report said information suggests regional organised crime groups (OCGs) are largely not involved in this criminal economy.

“However OCGs may attempt to exploit this market resulting in new challenges for states including Trinidad and Tobago. Based on observed trends with ketamine, Trinidad and Tobago will likely experience increased trafficking of both illegal fentanyl and fentanyl diverted from medical sources,” the report said.

The report said in 2023, 184 actionable intelligence reports were shared with stakeholders, and an additional 1,546 intelligence reports were produced and shared.

It said based on information provided to the agency by the TTPS and the TTDF, intelligence information provided led to 89 people being arrested, 34 charges against people, six criminal organisations were disrupted, and 24 serious/organised crime ventures were disrupted.

In the area of cyber-risks, the report noted that during 2023, the agency successfully deployed equipment to expand its interception-of-communication capabilities and assisted in the deployment of cellphone jammers in the Maximum Security Prison.