Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley does not intend to be cowed into adopting a geopolitical position that is in conflict with this country's principled stand on the crisis in Venezuela.
Issuing a subtle warning that he was not afraid to stand his ground when he meets the United Nation’s Secretary General, Antonio Guterres in New York tomorrow, Rowley said, “This small country of T&T, at this time, is called upon to play a role well beyond our size, but well within our competence.”
Accepting that international issues had arrived on the country’s doorstep just seven miles away in Venezuela, Rowley said, “Fortunately for the people of T&T, at this time, in office in T&T is a responsible political party holding executive authority, respecting all, fearing none.”
Rowley made the statements as he addressed the Cabinet and party supporters during the People’s National Movement’s (PNM’s) 63rd Gala Anniversary celebrations at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) last evening.
Indicating his role is to join his Caricom colleagues in meetings with Guterres where they would present a unified front, Rowley said, “We go because we are in a position to say to all parties, all actors, all contenders that we stand on principle.”
“And it is that commitment to principle that allows us to be able to talk to anybody and everybody. If we handle ourselves differently, there would be times that we could only talk to our friends and there’d be times when we only make enemies.”
Appealing to those present to understand and support the current administration in its effort to take T&T forward, Rowley added, “We have done enough for this country to know that if the PNM didn’t exist…it would have had to be invented to give the people of these islands a chance.”
Rowley along with Caricom chairman and Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Timothy Harris are expected to meet with the UN on Monday in New York to address the political crisis in Venezuela.
T&T along with other Caricom nations have maintained a position of non-interference in accordance with Caricom policies.
Rowley leaves today for New York, following which they will meet with Guterres on Monday and hold meetings in Washington on Tuesday.
Rowley has spoken out against the Opposition's support of Maduro's political rival Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim-president of Venezuela during a march involving tens of thousands in Caracas on January 23.
Rowley has previously said Venezuela has serious internal problems, but it is not the business of T&T “or those who have given themselves an authority, to walk into Venezuela by force to fix their internal problems”.
The US Embassy in T&T issued a statement calling Maduro’s presidency ‘undemocratic and illegitimate’ and pointing to government’s support of Maduro as ‘deeply concerning’.
It was a statement that was roundly rejected by Dr Rowley.