Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. AFP Photo
By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Venezuelan government is warning Trinidad and Tobago not to play any geopolitical games, maintaining that Trinidad and Tobago criminals have been caught on Venezuelan ground.
The Venezuelan government issued a press release on Friday expressing surprise at Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s strong statements made on Thursday at her post-Cabinet media conference when she said this country was off limits to any infiltration of Venezuelan authorities looking for such potential criminals.
The release was shared on the Embassy of Venezuela to Trinidad’s Facebook page.
The release stated, “Venezuela urges the authorities of Trinidad and Tobago not to engage in geopolitical games that are alien to the interests of our peoples and reaffirms its commitment to peace, sovereignty and mutual respect recalling that any legitimate concern must be channeled through diplomatic channels not through threats or unfounded statements that only fuel artificial tensions.”
The Venezuelan government stated that Trinidad and Tobago should face facts.
According to Venezuela, the facts were, “Venezuela has captured criminals of Trinidad origin who have confessed their plans, statements that have been duly supported with compelling evidence presented by the competent authorities.”
The release stated, “The appropriate thing to do in the face of this serious situation is to offer cooperation and willingness to clarify the facts. The Prime Minister’s virulent and high-sounding attitude raises serious suspicions of complicity with this incursion and compromises the good relations of cooperation that exist between our countries fundamental areas.”
Young warns to thread carefully
Former prime minister and energy minister Stuart Young also advised government to be careful with public statements as Venezuela was Trinidad and Tobago’s closest geographical neighbour.
In a Facebook post he wrote, “It is the height of irresponsibility and arguably, borderline insanity, for our government led by none other than the Prime Minister Mrs Kamla Persad Bissessar, to declare a use of deadly force policy on any unidentified vessel entering Trinidad and Tobago’s waters from Venezuela.”
Young said the radar system failed to identify marine vessels entering and leaving local waters and to conclusively determine whether a vessel left Trinidad and Tobago destined for Venezuela with persons onboard was simply not true.
He stated, “I call upon the government to engage in proper diplomatic communications with Venezuela and to appreciate that as the government you have to act responsibly and judiciously. Carrying on with false bravado associated with soap box politics is not only unbecoming but frankly dangerous in the circumstances.”
Young also said that the country’s future financial stability and energy security were directly tied to Venezuela as the largest gas project currently being undertaken is Manatee which is actually a cross border field with Venezuela, Loran-Manatee.
“What happens if Venezuela decides now to cancel this arrangement? It would lead to financial disaster for Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.
Young ended the post with, “This government needs to wake up and stop jeopardizing our future and our country’s reputation. I pray for Trinidad and Tobago.”
Young’s predecessor Dr Keith Rowley had expressed similar statements on Thursday night.
At the post Cabinet media conference both Persad-Bissessar and Defence Minister Wayne Sturge spoke about the allegations made earlier this week.
While investigations were ongoing, to date, they have found no evidence to support Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s claims that a paramilitary group entered Venezuela from Trinidad and Tobago.
Maduro’s claim was further substantiated by Venezuela’s Justice Minister Diosdado Cabello who alleged that a Trinidadian national had been captured among the group.
