Caption: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Photo: T&T Parliament

By Prior Beharry

PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar sought to quell fears about Trinidad and Tobago’s role in any potential conflict between the United States and Venezuela.

She said that her government will not participate in or enable aggression against the Venezuelan people and that the country remains a peaceful, sovereign state.

Her comments come in response to former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley’s call for clarifications on what arrangements exist with the United States and his assertion that Trinidad and Tobago could be targeted in a regional conflict.

Rowley, during a news conference at his Glencoe home, criticised Persad-Bissessar, calling her a “badjohn” who does not engage with the media and suggesting she had not been careful in addressing the issue.

In a prepared outline of ten “facts” to counter Rowley’s concerns, Persad-Bissessar argued that his remarks were not grounds for alarm but acknowledged his democratic right to express his views. The key points she laid out are:

1. Rowley, while entranced with former ambassador Bond, signed an updated SOFA last year which requires T&T to cooperate with the US military in their training exercises in the region.

2. ⁠The US has NEVER requested use of our territory to launch any attacks against the people of Venezuela.

3. ⁠Trinidad and Tobago territory will NOT be used to launch any attacks against the people of Venezuela.

4. ⁠ Trinidad and Tobago is a sovereign state and does not blindly follow the US or any bloc such as CARICOM.

5. ⁠Our foreign policy is Trinidad and Tobago first. As Lord Palmerston said, “We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.”

6. ⁠Trinidad and Tobago has suffered tremendously under the weight of drug and gun trafficking. My Government will not shy away from supporting international partners who are committed to confronting this plague head-on.

7. ⁠Trinidad and Tobago will NOT participate in any act that will bring harm to the Venezuelan people. 8. We continue to have peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela.

9. The Trinidad and Tobago Government supports the selection of leaders through free and fair democratic elections.

10. ⁠Trinidad and Tobago citizens and infrastructure are NOT at risk as we are NOT participants in any aggression against the people of Venezuela.

 

Persad-Bissessar stressed that Rowley’s remarks do not reflect any change in policy or direction; rather, they are a matter of public discourse in a democratic society. She noted that Rowley has the right to express his opinions and that she respects open debate.