Above: Port of Spain (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Trinidad and Tobago has ratified the Status of Forces agreement with the United States, which covers the temporary presence of US military personnel in the country for “mutually agreed activities.”

The agreement only becomes operative for particular exercises “in which both countries mutually agree,” Trinidad’s government said in a release.

Those exercises have to be approved by Trinidad’s government in writing through diplomatic channels.

Trinidad said the agreement “cannot be the basis for the establishment of an American military base in Trinidad and Tobago,” because it only covers temporary activities.

“No provisions are made or contemplated for the grant of facilities and areas to be utilized by the US military on the territory of Trinidad and Tobago,” the government said.