Latest update March 26th, 2026 12:30 AM
U.S. revokes Trinidadian environmentalist’s visa
Trinidad Express – Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) corporate secretary Gary Aboud, has had his United States (U.S.) visa revoked.
He says the revocation of his United States visa has raised serious concerns about whether foreign powers and even the Trinidad and Tobago Government are attempting to intimidate or punish civil society voices that speak out.
Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) corporate secretary Gary Aboud has had his United States visa revoked.
In a media release this afternoon, Aboud said for 28 years, FFOS has championed equity, justice, sustainable development, and the protection of vulnerable grassroots and coastal communities. “Today, however, we face an alarming reality: NGOs are being silenced. NGOs are not enemies of the State; we are a critical pillar of any functioning democracy. Without an independent civil society holding power to account, there can be no transparency, no oversight, and no protection against abuses of authority.”
In an email from the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain, Aboud was informed that his B1/B2 Visa for travel to the United States had been prudentially revoked. “This email is considered official notification of that revocation,” it stated.
This action, it stated, is “based on the fact” that additional information became available after the visa was issued indicating that Aboud may be “inadmissible” to the United States and therefore ineligible to receive a visa.
Aboud said the FFOS had long supported strong and decisive action against the drug trade. And, he said, the group had fully supported the Prime Minister’s We commitment to stopping drugs and guns from entering Trinidad and Tobago.
Aboud questioned why the United States did not provide fast interceptor vessels, modern radar systems, or a functioning helicopter to protect this country’s border.
“Our southern maritime border from Cedros across the Gulf of Paria remains a free passage for human trafficking, guns, drugs, livestock, illegal immigrants, and contraband. Where is the permanent joint base that should be monitoring and defending this vulnerable frontier?” he asked.
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