Caption: Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar, left, speaks to the media with a bouquet of flowers given to her by Venezuelan activist Yesenia Gonazales, right, at the Parliament. AZP News/Prior Beharry
By Alicia Chamely
VENEZUELA was not discussed at the meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, says Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
As to whether Trinidad and Tobago will adopt the US designation of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro and his government as a foreign terrorist organization, the Prime Minister says the government has not “gone down that pathway” and continues to stand on the side of the Venezuelan people.
Persad-Bissessar was responding to questions posed by the media as she entered the Red House, Port of Spain, on Wednesday.
Questioned as to whether the topic of Venezuela and the US’s operation Southern Spear was discussed during the meeting, the Prime Minister bluntly said, “The answer is no.”
Asked if T&T would adopt the US’s recent designation of Maduro and his government as a foreign terrorist organization, Persad-Bissessar said, “We have not gone down that pathway. We stand with the people of Venezuela.”
Regarding videos of a US Airforce plane flying over Tobago, the Prime Minister confirmed the US marines were on the island “helping with something to do with the airport.”
She confirmed US marines had been in T&T “training our people,” adding that they had left on Tuesday along with General Caine.
Persad-Bissessar said, “There is not a military force here, as such. We are not about to launch any campaign against Venezuela. I have made that very clear. Trinidad has not been asked to be a base for any war against Venezuela. As I said to you, Venezuela was not mentioned yesterday.”
Persad-Bissessar was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Venezuelan activist Yesenia Gonazales who said that she was doing a good job in taking care of the Venezuelans in Trinidad.
Refuting local and foreign media reports of American warships in local waters, the prime minister said, “I see them saying there are vessels in Trinidad waters, I don’t know how you guys (the media) assess they are in Trinidad waters. To the best of my knowledge, we were not requested to have any of these vessels in Trinidad and Tobago waters.”
In relation to recent foreign media reports that governments were moving their diplomatic staff out of Caracas in anticipation of a US Military strike against Venezuela, Persad-Bissessar was asked if T & T had moved their diplomatic staff.
She said, “I cannot answer. I cannot say yes or no, but I do believe our diplomats are still in Caracas. I have not given any instructions to pull anyone out.”
Seeking to ease the population’s fears that T&T may be pulled into conflict between the US and Venezuela, Persad-Bissessar said, “I keep saying it, there are some people just bent on fear mongering. There is nothing to be afraid of at this time.”
“When I do, then there are things to be concerned about, we will let you all know,” she added.
General Caine arrived in Trinidad on Tuesday, one after paying a courtesy visit to members of the US Southern Command at a military base in Puerto Rico.
The meeting was not open to the media, nor was there any post meeting media engagement, fuelling speculation that the meeting may be tied to possible US military operations in Venezuela.
A press release issued by the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday afternoon, stated the meeting was focused on preserving the safety and security of the region through joint efforts to combat narco and human trafficking.
On Monday, the US Department of State formally designated Maduro and his government a foreign terrorist organisation, a move that could extend the US’s reach in its actions against the Venezuelan regime.
Dispelling rumours of the nation’s involvement in the American’s campaign, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her government had stated the US had not requested the use of T&T’s territory or assets, repeatedly stating that T&T would “not be used as launch pad” in any attack.
