Former Prime Minister Stuart Younger is urging present Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to rethink her current warning that Trinidad and Tobago is “off-limits” to Venezuela and that the Coast Guard has been positioned on alert to make use of lethal pressure if any Venezuelan vessel enters the nation’s waters illegally.
Persad-Bissessar made the remark throughout Thursday’s post-Cupboard media briefing, the place she additionally declared her administration’s assist for the US on issues regarding Venezuela.
Her statements got here in response to claims by Venezuelan Justice Minister Diosdado Cabello, who alleged {that a} Trinidadian nationwide—recognized as “Guis Kendell Jerome”—was captured whereas travelling from Trinidad and Tobago with a bunch of so-called “terrorists” making an attempt to destabilise Venezuela. Cabello additionally accused Trinidad and Tobago of changing into a “launchpad” for mercenaries and warned, “There should be justice. We’re going after the gangs, wherever they’re … Collectively, we’ll assure peace on this nation.”
Responding to Persad-Bissessar’s remarks in a Fb publish, Younger described the Prime Minister’s place as “the peak of irresponsibility and arguably, borderline madness.”
“Venezuela is seven miles off of the coast of Trinidad and Tobago and is our closest geographical neighbour. As has occurred on many events up to now, our radar system could fail to select up marine vessels coming into and leaving our waters. That is nothing new,” he wrote.
Younger stated the Authorities can not definitively decide the origin or intent of each vessel, and described the administration’s posture as reckless.
“In reality, it’s the similar UNC that used to scream in opposition about our porous borders. So to now fake you can conclusively decide whether or not a vessel left Trinidad and Tobago destined for Venezuela with individuals onboard is just not true,” he acknowledged.
He known as on the Authorities to take a extra diplomatic strategy in coping with Venezuela.
“I name upon the Authorities to have interaction in correct diplomatic communications with Venezuela and to understand that because the Authorities, you need to act responsibly and judiciously. Carrying on with false bravado related to cleaning soap field politics just isn’t solely unbecoming however frankly harmful within the circumstances.”
Younger additionally warned that escalating tensions might have financial penalties, notably relating to Trinidad and Tobago’s future vitality safety, which he stated depends on secure relations with Venezuela.
“This Authorities must get up and cease jeopardising our future and our nation’s popularity,” he added.
Former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley additionally weighed in on Fb, criticizing Persad-Bissessar’s strategy and urging a extra measured diplomatic technique.
Former nationwide safety minister Gary Griffith echoed the sentiment, cautioning that T&T lacks the army functionality to observe by means of on threats.
“It’s commendable that the Prime Minister has taken a agency stance in refusing to let Trinidad and Tobago be bullied. However power is not only about phrases. It’s about foresight, functionality, and management,” Griffith stated in a social media publish.
He emphasised the significance of diplomacy over “muscle-flexing,” pointing to earlier incidents the place negotiations efficiently resolved disputes with Venezuela’s Guardia Nacional.
“We didn’t reply with threats—we responded with diplomacy, and thru sustained dialogue, we established a bilateral settlement which led to these incursions stopping. A win for each international locations concerned,” he stated.
Griffith warned that T&T’s defence methods are at the moment insufficient for any severe confrontation.
“We’ve got no plane, no helicopters, no drones, and even the vessels that we have been imagined to have acquired, that being the OPVs—would have been acquired with out efficient firing methods, making them little greater than floating stones in a contemporary confrontation,” he stated.
He concluded {that a} army strategy just isn’t solely unrealistic however harmful. “The concept that we might stand toe-to-toe within the Gulf is not only unrealistic—it’s harmful,” Griffith stated, including that diplomacy should take priority—not as a result of the nation is weak, however as a result of it’s the solely rational alternative.
