In Trinidad and Tobago, the relatives of two fishermen—killed in October 2025 by bombardments—filed a complaint against U.S. authorities in late January. However, in this island nation bordering Venezuela, the case "no longer makes headlines," notes Michal Pawinski, a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. This is particularly true given that the Trinidadian government "is very clear about its approach, which consists of aligning itself with U.S. policy and potentially reaping certain benefits from that alignment," the academic adds. He deplores the fact that "Caribbean nations are willing to accept violations of international legal norms—norms that are designed to protect them."

An international relations expert says this country’s support for the United States following US military attacks on Iran comes as no surprise but it will adversely affect T&T’s relations with CARICOM.

UWI Lecturer, Dr Michal Pawinski tells the Network News that the Government has adopted a bandwagon policy approach to the US.

Dr Pawinski says the support given to the United States can have long-term negative effects if the administration there changes…

 A UWI Professor is insisting the US-installed radar in Tobago increases T&T’s risk of being a military target. Lecturer at the Institute of International Relations, St Augustine Campus, Professor Michal Pawinski spoke with the Network News on the situation. His comments come as the radar was installed amid tensions between the United States and Venezuela 

Professor Pawinski also believes there can be unfavourable consequences for this country because of its alignment with the US…

 A UWI St Augustine Campus Professor says there is not likely to be any physical confrontation between the United States and Venezuela. Professor Michal Pawinski of the Institute of International Relations says that can only happen accidentally… 

Professor Pawinski believes the US does not want to engage in war with Venezuela because it will not be a short-term event…

Trinidad forms part of the Caribbean narco highway, which is used to smuggle drugs north, usually destined for Europe and the Middle East – and Trinidadian fishermen do play a role.

“Because of the small distance between Trinidad and Venezuela, Trinidadians are frequently facilitating trafficking of individuals, humans, arms and drugs,” Michal Pawinski, the professor of international relations at the University of West Indies, said.

He added: “The fact is that a lot of fishermen are involved in drug trafficking. I cannot say whether this one was involved or not, of course, but a lot of fishermen are involved in trafficking activities.”

 "The state of emergency will only mask the symptoms, reducing the crime rate in the country for a while," asserts Michal Pawinski, a lecturer in international relations at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and a member of the Caribbean Policy Consortium. In his view, the lack of a long-term strategy—particularly one that addresses socioeconomic factors—does little to encourage young people to turn their backs on gangs. "We need a holistic approach to crime," argues Malisa Neptune-Figaro, a research professor in criminology and behavioral sciences at the same university. She calls on the Trinidadian authorities "not to focus solely on repression."