FACT CHECK: U.S. Military Aircraft Lands in Trinidad to Repatriate Naval Officer  

Trinidad and Tobago: A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft landed at the Piarco International Airport on Friday morning to carry the remains of a US Naval officer who recently died while he was in Trinidad, according to official sources. Despite widespread online speculations there is no connection of the aircraft’s arrival with that of the recent reports of rising military tensions between US and Venezuela including Grenada and Trinidad.

The large military transport aircraft drew attention after photos and videos of the same went viral across social media platforms and were circulated widely online, prompting speculations about the purpose of its visit. However, Associates Times could confirm that the aircraft arrived in Trinidad to carry the remains of the Naval officer who died on October 2^nd in mysterious circumstances, a standard procedure that is carried out when US service members die overseas.

The US embassy in Port of Spain coordinated the operation in keeping the diplomatic and defence protocols. Local airport authorities were notified about the incident prior to the aircraft’s arrival, and it remained on ground for a short period before departing with the remains of the officer.

Growing Speculations

Online posts and commentary stated that the aircraft’s presence was linked to ‘Increased US Military movement’ in response their mission to target drug traffickers across the southern Caribbean. Recently, the US requested Grenadian authorities to temporarily deploy radar equipment and associated technical personnel to the Maurice Bishop International airport. However, Grenadian authorities have not yet confirmed the same.

Users on internet even went further claiming that the aircraft carried military equipment or personnel related to potential operations in the southern Caribbean. However, those claims are false and there is no evidence to prove the authenticity of the claims.

Background

The deceased US naval officer died in mysterious circumstances and the investigations into his death were performed by the US officials in Trinidad. No information was also released related to the cause of the officer’s death by the officials however, the doctors confirmed that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign affairs have been notified.