High Court Judge Justice Frank Seepersad is warning Caribbean leaders to avoid speculation before making judgements on recent regional disputes.
His call comes amid rising US-Venezuela tensions, with the United States carrying out deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels since September and, most recently, seizing two oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela.
Justice Seepersad addressed growing tensions in the Caribbean and Pacific after a Christmas sermon in Marabella on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters, he cautioned that certain opinions being made both locally and regionally are being made without evidence.
“Within the recent past, there’s been a lot of angst about developments which have occurred within the Caribbean Sea and in the Pacific Ocean, and many opinions have been proffered as it relates to the legality of the said activity. At this stage, however, and in the absence of the required evidence, a lot of that opinion is really speculative and the subject of conjecture.”
He warned against rushing to conclusions without all the necessary facts, especially in the midst of opinions concerning a breach of human rights.
“The reality is that we do not have all of the evidence or the positions which have guided the actions which have been undertaken and therefore it is really premature to proffer an opinion that what has occurred amounts to a breach of international law or that there is a violation of fundamental human rights.”
Justice Seepersad also reminded leaders of their core duty, even when tough choices are required.
“There is a responsibility to prioritise the interests of one’s citizenry and that often requires the effecting of difficult decisions and the formation of strategic alliances, sometimes militarily and sometimes on an economic front.”
Justice Seepersad touched on regional security concerns and humanitarian realities, noting that “millions of people do not leave their homes because all is well.”
“There is an inescapable reality that within the last decade we have seen the largest hemispheric migration of citizens from our closest and largest neighbour. We have also experienced statements made which threaten the territorial integrity of our fellow CARICOM member, Guyana. And therefore, we must not pretend that these things have not happened. And we must support decisions and actions which may be focused upon the levelling of the playing field.”
The move by the United States to seize an oil tanker came after President Donald Trump said last Tuesday that he was ordering a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.