Editorials, commentators, detractors, and critics have criticized Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar for pursuing a foreign policy that closely links T&T to USA on national interests related to the region. Objectively, Kamla’s policy is in the geo strategic security and economic interests of TT and also protects American visas of our nationals as well as the presence of the large TT diaspora in USA. Critics and detractors have flayed the Administration’s support for the ongoing American military action (strikes) on narco traffickers off T&T (Venezuela) waters and the aggressive posturing against the authoritarian Maduro regime, claiming both pose a threat to the region as a zone of peace. The critics and detractors are wrong; they fail to understand Washington’s determination to oust Maduro and to clamp down on narco trade. With or without TT support, President Trump would have gone after Venezuela. Washington was striking boats long before seeking TT support. Nothing or no one could stop American intervention to protect its interests in the region. Has it dawned on critics that Venezuela is violating TT sovereignty? Sending drug traffickers and criminals into Trinidad is a violation of TT sovereignty and international law. US actions in our region unquestionably protect American interests first. But TT and the region are also beneficiaries. Kamla is right to side with USA to protect TT sovereignty and advance our all round interests.
The critics and detractors chided the PM for seeking to protect (American ) visas of Trinibagonians instead of defending national sovereignty. What is of greater value to Trinibagonians — visa or an abstract, elusive, non enforceable sovereign. Those I engaged prefer the visa. Detractors have not shown how sovereignty is violated and have not demonstrated any willingness to sacrifice visas in the interests of that beloved sovereignty. Since sovereignty is of greater value to them than USA visa, then they should have so demonstrated by returning their visas to the American Embassy to protest the American actions in the region. After all, they are of the view that military actions are a threat to the region as a zone of peace. Clearly, they would not sacrifice their visa because like the other 350,000 Trinibagonians who have valid visas, they want to protect that valuable page in their passport. No visa is as precious as the American as it opens up endless opportunities in USA and entree into so many other countries.
Not supporting Washington in its aggressive actions against Maduro is fraught with many risks, not the least being revocation of visas of T&T nationals and or denial of entry into USA as had happened (though suspended for now) to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. In addition, Washington would have cancelled the permit for Dragon gas deal costing us billions, increased tariffs on TT exports, and reduced or end of purchasing T&T gas, fertilizers, and other products. And Washington potentially would have implemented more steps that would have triggered our economic collapse as has been happening in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, and that not long ago occurred in Guyana, among other countries. America is our largest trading partner. Our economy is tied to USA which is also home to our largest diaspora who have been propping up our economy with remittances, other handouts, and visits that bring in foreign currency that are in shortage. So why risk our economic strength and the diaspora presence in USA and all the benefits that accrue by rejecting Washington’s request for an alliance thereby angering USA resulting in measures that hurt our interests. It must not be forgotten that drug trafficking not only kill Americans but Trinibagonians also, and that it has been a source of violent crimes in Trinidad.
Critics and detractors of Kamla’s pro American policy are reminded that the Trump administration is moving to restrict entry and or revoke visas of non American critics of USA; leaders and other politicians of countries opposed to USA have had their visas cancelled. Also targeted are nationals of countries in USA who are undocumented, those with green cards, and who have become naturalized. The Trump administration is ratcheting up deportation of nationals from certain countries. T&T won’t like to be placed on that list and have nationals unnecessarily rounded up and deported. The T&T diaspora in USA exceeds half a million. There are tens of thousands of T&T illegals in USA, hundreds of thousands green card holders; thousands of foreign students, and on any given day thousands of visitors from T&T. Why risk their expulsion or deportation by opposing the American presence in T&T and the nearby region as a bulwark against narco trafficking and removing a tyrant from office.
Even if T&T had decided not to support the American action against Venezuela, Trump would have gone ahead anyway with his policy of military confrontation with Maduro and regime change. More powerful nations than T&T, like Russia, China, Brazil, Colombia, etc. have urged the USA not to pursue military strikes and urged restraint. They have been ignored. Our Caricom allies like Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua, St Vincent, Dominica, etc have also opposed Trump who simply ignored their appeals against military strikes. Unlike other Caricom territories, T&T is neighbor to Venezuela, a source of drugs, guns, killers, and organized crime. There is an hardening of USA stance against Venezuela and the entire left in the region and those who harbor anti-American sentiments. Only T&T government, through engagement with USA, knows what is in its best security and economic interests.
Also, only Kamla and her confidants know the pressure TT being faced and the benefits to be accrued from allying with USA in going after drug traffickers. It is not in TT interests to oppose the Americans. PM Kamla has acted wisely and decisively to side with Washington in this critical geopolitical security and economic matter.
Meanwhile, the US Congress Armed Services Committee has praised Kamla for siding with USA (as per (pix credit) against Maduro.
