Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has reiterated that any interference in Venezuela affairs is “illegal” and this country will continue to take stance of “non-interference” in the Venezuelan presidential impasse.
“Non-intervention is what countries should follow, except of course under extenuating circumstances where the UN comes in and we all as world nations can authorise the United Nations to intervene on behalf of persons who may not be able to look after themselves,” Rowley said during a People’s National Movement cottage meeting in Mason Hall, Tobago, on Tuesday night.
He made the comment as he again addressed the current impasse that has developed between incumbent Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and National Assembly leader Juan Guaido, who has appointed himself interim president.
Rowley also made the comment against the backdrop of criticism from deputy National Assembly leader Carlos Enrique Valero of T&T non-intervention stance. Valero has accused Rowley’s and his Government of being an “accomplice of Nicolas Maduro” by supporting a peaceful resolution as opposed to intervention.
However, Rowley reminded his supporters that the people of Venezuela chose the current political and economic model currently existing.
“When President Chavez brought that economic model to the people of Venezuela he had 71 per cent of the support of the people, that is the economic model they choose for themselves,” he told supporters.
He said if the model is failing now, or made to fail that is a matter that only Venezuelans can fix.
Although Rowley said he knows “Maduro is the President of Venezuela,” he said Trinidad and Tobago does not deal with personalities but the matter of sovereign states. As a country, he said Trinidad and Tobago will maintain a neutral position to ensure that the UN fundamental principle of non-interference is not squandered for political or other gains
“If you say that anybody who could do it should be allowed to do it, what is to protect St. Kitts and Nevis? What is to protect Trinidad and Tobago? What is to protect the Maldives?” he asked.