Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC has emphatically stated that “Trinidad and Tobago is about Trinidad and Tobago first.”
Responding to questions on the recently established blockade by the United States of all sanctioned oil tankers going into and out of Venezuela, the Prime Minister said Trinidad and Tobago is not involved in this matter between the US and Venezuela.
She stated that Trinidad and Tobago’s engagements with the United States are about safeguarding and strengthening national interests.
“Our partnership with the United States is about Trinidad and Tobago, safety and security here. Those are issues for the Trump administration and for the United States. Trinidad and Tobago is not part of that blockade. We are about Trinidad and Tobago, and we are very happy with how things are progressing in the partnership with the US.”
Pressed on the issue of tensions between the US and Venezuela, the Prime Minister said this country has no intention of engaging in any war with Venezuela.
She reminded that the cancellation of gas arrangements by Venezuela is not a new thing, and Trinidad and Tobago will stand alone if it needs to.
“We have had over 100 years of oil and gas economy and not one drop of oil. Not one drop of oil has come from Venezuela. We have Exxon, we have others working within our fields. We have expanded more fields. Yes, we welcome the gas, but right now we don’t need it.”
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar also noted that this country is benefiting from the current state of emergency.
“Murders are down by 240. There are 240 less murders this year than last year. Let’s not forget that. Over $200 million in drugs busted only recently, so we are very happy about those things. There is some good news in all of this. That is good news.”