US Ambassador to T&T Joseph Mondello yesterday described as “deeply concerning” statements coming from the T&T Government recognising the “undemocratic and illegitimate government” of Nicholas Maduro in Venezuela
In a brief but strongly worded statement, Mondello said democracy and prosperity require tough choices.
“Venezuelan interim President Juan Guaido and the democratically elected National Assembly have the full recognition and resolute support of the United States of America and the majority of democracies in the Western Hemisphere,” he said.
“I and the entire US Embassy are committed to maintaining mutually beneficial bilateral relations with the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Hours later, during his contribution to a debate on an Opposition motion in Parliament, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley fired back at Ambassador Mondello’s statement.
“I take umbrage at the United States Ambassador in Trinidad and Tobago making a public statement, criticising the actions of the government of Trinidad and Tobago as we take action in protection of the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.
“Madam Speaker, we in Trinidad and Tobago under all our governments, we have preserved the sovereign position of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. If today there are people in the opposition who believe that they have to take instructions from somebody else and the US Embassy on Marli Street, leave the PNM out of that.”
The T&T-US standoff on Venezuela came one day after Dr Rowley, in response to questions at a post-Cabinet media briefing, said that his Government recognised Maduro as President of Venezuela.
This is at odds with the stance of the United States which has recognised Juan Guaido, the opposition head of the National Assembly, as the interim president of Venezuela.
On Thursday, 16 of the 34 nations in the Organisation of American States recognized Guaido at an emergency session. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged members to oppose the “illegitimate” Maduro and pledged to make US$20 million available for humanitarian assistance to the country.
Also on Thursday, Heads of Government of Caricom held an emergency meeting via video-conference and agreed not to interfere in the state of affairs of Venezuela and to seek an urgent meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General to request the UN’s assistance in resolving the issue.
The leaders reaffirmed their guiding principles of non-interference and non-intervention in the affairs of states, respect for sovereignty, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for human rights and democracy, they reiterated “the long-standing political crisis, which has been exacerbated by recent events, can only be resolved peacefully through meaningful dialogue and diplomacy.”
The situation in Venezuela has been reaching boiling point in recent days with increased efforts by the opposition to unseat Maduro.
The crisis escalated in recent weeks following Maduro’s inauguration for a second term in office following widely disputed polls last year. T&T was represented at the inauguration by Foreign Affairs Minister Dennis Moses.