Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Dr. Amery Browne, says there’s no need for panic, as he spoke about the change in administration in the United States.
He says he’s been having regular meetings with the Embassy of the United States following the official change in administration in January.
“That’s something that we’ve made even more regular now during this period of change and adjustment, and we’ll continue to exercise our responsibilities and duties to best effect, always in the interests of all the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. There’s no reason for panic, but there is reason for us to redouble our efforts and to ensure that we can advance the interests of the people of Trinidad and Tobago at this time of change.”
In fact, he said this topic would be key on the agenda of the next CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting scheduled to take place in Barbados in late February.
“We have to be up for the challenge, and the discussions in Barbados of CARICOM Heads, it is really going to be critical in helping to shape the posture of our region and the responses to some of the initiatives that might be under us.”
As for deportation from the United States, Minister Browne said it has been business as usual, with no major change.
“We have continued to receive deportations over the years, as I’ve indicated to the media recently. It’s something that’s very well managed, responsibly managed, with excellent communication, collaboration, and coordination between teams in Washington DC, the Embassy of the United States of America here, as well as our immigration authorities, the Ministry of National Security, and the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs. At this point, we’ve received no official communication to suggest that that routine, that collaboration, will change in any respect.”
As for when a new US Ambassador to T&T will be appointed, he said, “We would welcome the new US Ambassador whenever he or she is posted. As you know, the United States of America has a particular confirmation process, which can take some time, but we work closely. There’s a very competent Charge d’Affaires in place. We work very well with the team at present, and we stand ready to welcome the Ambassador whenever posted. So those relations are maintained.”