US Military Radar Removed from Tobago as Opposition Raises Transparency Concerns
The dismantling of a US military radar in Tobago has sparked political controversy, with the opposition questioning government transparency and the purpose of the high-tech system.
2 min read
By Aurax Radio — Updated March 17, 2026
U.S. Radar system Crown Point, Tobago
A controversial United States military radar system stationed in Tobago has been dismantled and is set to be removed from the island, raising fresh political and security concerns in Trinidad and Tobago.
The military-grade ground/air task-oriented radar, which had been installed near the ANR Robinson International Airport in Crown Point, is no longer at the site. Reports indicate that the equipment was taken down in recent days and is expected to be transported out of the country by a US military aircraft.
The system, described as a high-tech surveillance radar, had been operating for months and reportedly costs millions of US dollars per day to run.
Political backlash over lack of transparency
The removal of the radar has intensified criticism from the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), which says the government has failed to adequately explain both the installation and dismantling of the system.
PNM deputy political leader Sanjiv Boodhu accused the government of keeping citizens “in the dark” about the radar’s purpose, effectiveness, and implications for national security.
Questions remain over whether the radar provided tangible benefits to Trinidad and Tobago, or whether it primarily served US military interests.
Regional context and strategic implications
The radar’s presence in Tobago formed part of a wider US military buildup in the Caribbean, linked to ongoing operations targeting drug trafficking and regional security threats.
The deployment had sparked debate across the region, with some governments supporting US involvement while others raised concerns about sovereignty and the militarisation of Caribbean territories.
The sudden removal of the radar now raises new questions about the future of those operations — and whether Trinidad and Tobago will continue to play a role in them.
Tobago’s strategic location has made it a key point in regional security operations
The site in Crown Point where the US radar once stood.
US troops preparing to exit
Officials in Tobago had earlier indicated that US personnel stationed on the island would be leaving within days, signalling the end of the radar’s deployment.
The dismantling appears to be part of a broader withdrawal, with logistics already underway to airlift the equipment out of Tobago.
While details remain limited, the move suggests a shift in US military operations in the region.
File Image: of Trinidad Opposition figures are demanding answers over the radar’s deployment and removal
Unanswered questions remain
Despite the radar’s removal, many questions remain unanswered:
Why was the system deployed in the first place?
What intelligence or security benefits did it provide?
Why was it removed so abruptly?
For now, the lack of official detail continues to fuel speculation and political tension.
As Trinidad and Tobago navigates its role in regional security partnerships, the radar episode highlights the delicate balance between cooperation and sovereignty — and the importance of transparency in matters of national interest.