Caption: Kamla Persad-Bissessar
By Prior Beharry
PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has taken issue with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) over its “concern” for the visa restrictions imposed on Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica by the United States.
She said that CARICOM was not a reliable partner and that she respected the sovereignty of the US.
Persad-Bissessar’s statement came in a release on Saturday, one day after the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM said it had “noted with concern” the US move, while acknowledging that states have the authority to control their borders.
It stated, “The Bureau recognises the right of countries to implement policies regulating entry to their borders,” CARICOM stated, but added that it was troubled the decision was made “without prior consultation,” particularly given the potential fallout for “legitimate travel, people-to-people exchanges, and the social and economic well-being of these small states.”
Persad-Bissessar noted that the US justification included a “partial suspension of entry for immigrants and nonimmigrants” under the “B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visa categories,” and that the fact sheet referenced “the historical operation of Citizenship by Investment programmes without residency requirements in both Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda.”
The US has since suspended Dominica’s restrictions.
The prime minister said, “I advise citizens that the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is not a party to the statement issued by the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government. I acknowledge the right of the Bureau of the Conference to express its views.
“However, the Trinidad and Tobago government maintains its own position on the matter and recognises the sovereign right of the United States to make decisions in furtherance of its best interests.
“I hold the view that every sovereign state is responsible for its foreign and domestic policy choices and must be prepared to accept the concomitant consequences.
“The exercise of power by the United States of America to advance their best interests must therefore be seen as a measured response to the conduct of other nations in the realities of the current environments that they place themselves in.”
Persad-Bissessar said, “Trinidad and Tobago’s government does not bind itself to the political ideologies or foreign, economic and security policies of any other CARICOM member government. Member governments are free to make decisions in the best interests of their citizens.
“CARICOM is not a reliable partner at this time.
“The fact is that beneath the thin mask of unity, there are many widening fissures that if left unaddressed will lead to its implosion. The organisation is deteriorating rapidly due to poor management, lax accountability, factional divisions, destabilising policies, private conflicts between regional leaders and political parties and the inappropriate meddling in the domestic politics of member states.
“That’s the plain truth. CARICOM cannot continue to operate in this dysfunctional and self-destructive manner as it is a grave disservice to the people of the Caribbean. The Caribbean community must face the rot within the organisation with transparency and honesty.
“Hiding behind the glibness of diplomacy, fake sophistication and false narratives is self-defeating. An organisation that chooses to disparage our greatest ally the United States but lends support to the Maduro narco-government headed by a dictator who has imprisoned and killed thousands of civilians and opposition members as well as threatened two CARICOM members is one that has clearly lost its way.
“There are repercussions for this stance. We must all live with the consequences of our actions. Our citizens can rest assured that I will always make decisions that put Trinidad and Tobago first. CARICOM will not determine our future, only the citizens of our country will choose our p
