Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has confirmed that Trinidad and Tobago has had no discussions about invading Venezuela, calling recent comments by Venezuelan officials “fear-mongering.”
The Prime Minister dismissed speculation that Trinidad and Tobago could be drawn into any military conflict with Venezuela.
Speaking to reporters, she responded to Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez’s warning to T&T not to provoke that country.
“I will dare to do what I have to do to keep the people of Trinidad and Tobago safe. That is my priority. I’ve said T&T first. That is my priority. I have no intention, we’ve had no discussions about invading Venezuela, of stepping on to Venezuelan soil. Nothing of the sort is happening.”
With the United States in Caribbean waters, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar continues to welcome them, noting that it’s not the first time they’ve been here.
“If that can help us stem the criminality, the trafficking, the narco-trafficking, the human trafficking, and the pain and suffering that brings to the people here, then yes, we welcome them and look forward to their cooperation with us.”
However, she insisted that Trinidad and Tobago will do what is necessary if its neighbour, Guyana, is in trouble.
“A lot of it is fear-mongering. There have been no discussions with the US or anyone else. However, I repeat, should Venezuela invade Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago will definitely step forward in defence of our cousins, our brothers and sisters in the CARICOM.”
The Prime Minister pointed out that CARICOM’s response has been slowed by recent elections in Member States but insisted unity remains the goal.
“I think we’ve had a bit of a setback given the two elections taking place in the CARICOM and the Chairman of CARICOM. We congratulate Prime Minister Holness, of course, and President Irfaan. I’m not casting any blame here. I’m just saying it might have dampened a cohesive response from the entire CARICOM. But we have always had differences, and that’s another thing that is a false narrative. The CARICOM has always had differences, and that’s why we say we are sovereign but, at the same time, we speak with one voice. So there are issues that will have differences of opinion.”
She also addressed criticism that certain CARICOM countries are fractured over the Venezuela issue.
“St. Vincent and the Grenadines has always had a different kind of opinion to other members of the CARICOM. That is not to say that we are fractured. On this matter, on the Venezuelan matter, and the Americans in our waters, CARICOM has already fractured. Several members went off to a meeting – the ALBA meeting. Trinidad is not a member of that regional body, ALBA, and made comments and gave statements long before I even stepped onto the plate. So we will have differences, but I think at the end we’ll adhere together.”
The Prime Minister said T&T remains committed to CARICOM and to its CARICOM neighbours, noting that this country will work with them in every way possible.