Caption: Kamla Persad-Bissessar

By Alicia Chamely

PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is not backing down from her decision to support the United States of America in its military operation against alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers, despite a warning from Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to “take it easy.”

During her remarks at the launch of the Venezuelan Government’s Independencia 200’ plan on Thursday, Rodriguez issued a stern warning to the US, T&T and Guyana.

Rodriguez said, “And from here, from Sucre state, a very clear message to the vassal governments of the United States Department of War, the government of Trinidad and Tobago, the government of Guyana: take it easy, do not dare, and do not even think about it.”

She said, “…You are lending yourselves to destabilise the entire Caribbean and this continent,

Speaking to the media on Friday before entering the Red House, Port of Spain, Persad-Bissessar said, “I will dare to do what I have to do to keep the people of Trinidad and Tobago safe. That is my priority. T&T first, that is my priority.”

She said, “We have had no discussions of invading Venezuela, of stepping onto Venezuelan soil, nothing of the sort is happening.”

Persad-Bissessar said the Southern Command branch of the US Army had been in T&T before and having them here was nothing new.

She said, “I welcome them if that can help us stem the criminality, the trafficking, the narco-trafficking, the human trafficking and the pain and suffering those bring to the people here. Yes, we welcome them and look forward to their cooperation with us.”

Again, she denied speculation that T&T held discussions with the US to invade Venezuela.

Persad-Bissessar said, “It’s just fear mongering. There have been no discussions with the US or anyone else.”

 “However, I repeat, should Venezuela invade Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago will definitely step forward in defence of our cousins, our brothers, our sisters in the CARICOM.”