Minister of Public Utilities and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Barry Padarath, is commending Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC for what he described as a frank and honest address at the 50th Regular Meeting of CARICOM in St. Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday evening.
In an interview with TTT News, Minister Padarath said the Prime Minister’s contribution on the CARICOM stage was bold, courageous, and necessary as she confronted the real issues facing the region.
“I thought that the Prime Minister confronted the real geopolitical issues that are affecting CARICOM at this particular time. There are two main issues, which are national security issues and the economic issues surrounding several CARICOM States. The Prime Minister also sought to put into context several matters that would have occurred while we served in opposition. And I thought that was a very brave, bold, and courageous decision for the Prime Minister to make by confronting those issues.”
Minister Padarath said the Prime Minister also challenged the perception that CARICOM has become a talk show, making what he described as a clarion call for action.
“The only way you can get action is if you confront the real issues that are impacting Caribbean societies and I think she sought to do that. She did justice to the statement, and she did position and the government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the government bench support the position adopted by the Honourable Prime Minister. And I think the Honourable Prime Minister fell short of saying let the chips fall where they may.”
Addressing the Prime Minister’s statement “who vex, loss,” Minister Padarath said it must be understood in context.
“We are seven miles away from Venezuela. We have been among, if not the CARICOM country that has been worst affected by crime, by narco-trafficking, gun trafficking, human trafficking. And therefore, when the Prime Minister said ‘who vex loss,’ she said it in the context that Trinidad and Tobago will do what is in its best interest. We will partner with those who are willing to partner with us to ensure that we protect our nation’s sovereignty.”
Minister Padarath also responded to comments from Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles on the Prime Minister’s speech.
“When I hear the Opposition Leader talking about the Prime Minister making a bizarre statement, it tells me that the Opposition Leader continues to lead a pack of cowards, spineless cowards, who are not willing to take the bull by its horns to address the real issues that are impacting our economy and our national security issues.”
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar spoke at the opening ceremony of the 50th Regular Meeting of CARICOM in St. Kitts and Nevis.