US Ceases Aid to Trinidad and Tobago’s SORT Over Human Rights Concerns

April 3, 2024 – The United States has ceased assistance to Trinidad and Tobago’s Special Operations Response Team (SORT) due to allegations of human rights violations. These allegations stem from the deaths of suspects involved in the Andrea Bharrat murder in 2021. The move reportedly followed a meeting between US officials and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Former Police Commissioner Gary Griffith’s remarks concerning the situation faced criticism. National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Amery Browne both highlighted the significant impact of this US defunding on national security cooperation between the two nations, raising concerns about its implications for crime-fighting efforts in Trinidad and Tobago.