OTTO CARRINGTON
Senior Reporter
otto.carrington@cnc3.co.tt
Amid mounting online claims that U.S. military aircraft and drones have been flying near or within Trinidad and Tobago’s airspace on surveillance missions tied to Venezuela, the former Director General of Civil Aviation is urging calm, clarity, and an end to fear-driven speculation.
Speaking with Guardian Media, Dr Lutchmedial emphasised that there is no credible evidence to suggest that U.S. military aircraft have entered the country’s sovereign airspace without permission, and that such an act would constitute a violation of international law.
“Trinidad and Tobago, like 193 other countries including the United States, is a signatory to the Chicago Convention,” Lutchmedial explained. “Article 1 of that Convention makes it absolutely clear that every state has complete sovereignty over the airspace above its land and territorial waters. No military aircraft of any foreign state can enter our airspace without prior authorisation through diplomatic channels.”
He noted that as an archipelagic state, Trinidad and Tobago’s territorial airspace extends twelve miles from its archipelagic baselines, starting from the Outer Bocas and extending down past Tobago, Toco, Galeota, and the Soldado Rock.
Lutchmedial stressed that foreign military aircraft require official government clearance before entering this sovereign zone.
“If any military aircraft of any country wants to come to Trinidad and Tobago, they must obtain permission through our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once that is granted, the Civil Aviation Authority and Air Navigation Division are informed so that air traffic control is aware. That’s the process, there are no exceptions,” he said.
The former aviation head said claims circulating on social media and flight-tracking platforms about U.S. drones operating locally are “speculative at best” and not backed by solid data.
“Many of the reports I’ve seen are based on flight radar information, which relies on ADS-B signals emitted by aircraft, but that’s not always reliable, and it can’t definitively identify whether something is a military drone or not,” he explained. “There’s no cogent evidence to suggest these are U.S. military drones. Without confirmation from either the U.S. or Trinidad and Tobago governments, everything else is speculation.”
Lutchmedial warned against fearmongering on social media, saying unverified posts and flight radar screenshots only serve to “create unnecessary panic” among citizens.
“People should desist from sharing unconfirmed information. It creates apprehension and fear where none may be warranted,” he said. “We live in a world where social media and artificial intelligence can easily create far-fetched scenarios that appear real. Some of these faceless YouTube channels are generating content for clicks, not truth.”
Responding to concerns about increased Russian aircraft movement in the region, Lutchmedial said that if such flights were occurring at a military level, the world’s media would know.
“If Russian military aircraft were entering Venezuela, it would have drawn a major reaction from the United States and made international headlines — CNN, Fox News, the Miami Herald. The superpowers monitor each other’s military movements closely. So far, there’s been no credible reporting from reputable international outlets to confirm that.”
He also provided historical context, explaining how GPS navigation and radar tracking systems have evolved to prevent airspace incursions. He cited the tragic 1983 Korean Airlines incident, when a commercial flight strayed into Soviet airspace and was shot down — a moment that led the U.S. to make GPS available for civilian use.
Lutchmedial underscored that military assets are considered extensions of their home nations, and any unapproved entry into another country’s airspace could be seen as an act of aggression under international law.
“A military aircraft or naval vessel is regarded as a functional part of its country. If it’s attacked, that’s an attack on the country itself,” he said. “That’s why permissions, treaties, and diplomatic protocols are strictly followed.”
Lutchmedial called for rationality and reliance on verified sources, not speculation.
“Let’s separate fact from fear. No responsible government, especially the U.S., would violate our airspace without consent. Trinidad and Tobago remains a friendly nation to all, and our sovereignty is fully recognised and respected,” he affirmed.
