Caption: Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles and former foreign affairs minister Dr Amery Browne at the Opposition’s press conference on Monday. AZP News/Alicia Chamely
By Sue-Ann Wayow
OPPOSITION Leader Pennelope Beckles is advising the government led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to tone down communication towards the Venezuelan government.
Beckles is hoping that this week, communication will improve between the two governments.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Opposition Leader’s office in Port of Spain on Monday, Beckles said, “I hope that the government will use this week to do far better than last week. It is our economic and national interest that tensions be reduced and this situation must be properly handled.”
She also said her statement was not to embarrass government but “it is about prudence and of course about responsibility.”
Mentioning statements made by St Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves that both neighbouring countries should act peacefully, Beckles said it was sad that a regional leader had to advise Persad-Bissessar that way.
“All I would like to do is to urge both neighbours to continue to act peacefully in accordance with international law,” Gonsalves was reported saying to the Guardian newspaper.
She also said two foreign affairs minister Winston Dookeran and Dr Amery Browne were also advising the government to engage in more diplomatic dialogue instead of fiery language.
Last week, Persad-Bissessar warned the Venezuelan government to consider venturing to this country to look for any potential criminals following the allegation that paramilitary persons made their to Venezuela via Trinidad and included a Trinidadian.
Both Persad-Bissessar and Defence Minister Wayne Sturge said no evidence has been found to confirm the statements first made by Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and further backed by Venezuela’s Justice Minister Diosdado Cabello.
Beckles also questioned why the country has not yet heard from the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs on the matter and whether or not talks have been held with Venezuelan Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago.
At the post Cabinet media briefing last Thursday, Sturge said Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers have reached out in an attempt to speak with Venezuelan authorities.
A test for leadership
Dr Amery Browne also spoke on the issue with Venezuela. He agreed with Beckles that prudence was needed and the situation “was a test for leadership.”
He is hoping that foreign services personnel will be deployed and clear instructions will be given by the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs to make contact with counterparts in Caracas.
That is to “bring the matter out of the realm of rhetoric and tension and into the realm of diplomacy, resolution and productivity,” Dr Browne said.
He said even with changes in administration, foreign policies were quite consistent and he too is hoping for a difference in the handling of the allegations made by Venezuela.
When asked if he thinks the relationship due to Persad-Bissessar’s statements would be strained, Dr Browne said he hoped that it would not.
“We always want the best for Trinidad and Tobago which is why we keep saying to take a better route, a better course in this matter and engage more prudently.”
He said even ordinary citizens were becoming alarmed and fearful at the possibility of any Venezuelan military intervention.
Dr Browne also said about Sobers, “It is my hope that the new minister, he is still fairly new, will do well and will rise to the occasion that will always arise.”
On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs issued a release stating that Sobers met with Venezuelan Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Álvaro Sánchez Cordero earlier in the day.
Paul Mohammed
June 10, 2025He added: “I’m sure it is not the first time that you would have seen a high jumper, on the athletic field, approach the high bar, confident of scaling it, only to fail in the attempt. I’m sure you would have heard of MPs who did everything except enrich themselves and disregard service and connection to their constituents. I’m sure (of the) authenticity of many witnesses and allegations about MPs and friends exploiting young vulnerable females in and out of their office. When Keith went after Amery…Was Penny silent or Vocal? As leader of a diminishing PNM wil Penny now investigate womem being abused by high office holder in the PNM