During the United National Congress event in Penal, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the leader of Trinidad and Tobago’s opposition, she delivered a stern warning to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, emphasizing that any meddling with the people of Guyana would implicate her nation as well.
Trinidad and Tobago, Nicolás Maduro President of Venezuela, Mia Mottley, PM of Barbados
Addressing Maduro, Kamla Persad-Bissessar stated unequivocally, “You touch one, you touch all! We firmly stand in support of the people of Guyana in this crisis. Stay out of Essequibo!” She remarks.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar criticized Maduro’s motives behind the ongoing crisis between Guyana and Venezuela, accusing him of exploiting false pretexts to foster nationalism. She highlighted Maduro’s attempt to portray himself as a heroic figure, similar to Simon Bolivar and Hugo Chavez, using the crisis as a potential means to deploy the army and control civic activities to suppress campaigning and protests in Venezuela.
She expressed solidarity with Guyana and criticized Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Keith Rowley for what she perceived as insufficient support. “Keith Rowley sheepishly hides behind the zone of peace! Rowley’s talk about the region remaining a zone of peace is not enough. Guyana must know they have our full support with meaningful and practical backing!” she asserted.
Furthermore, Kamla Bissessar recalled that as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago in 2015, she stood with Guyana’s then-president David Granger when Venezuela claimed maritime waters encompassing Guyana’s exclusive economic zone. She said that occurred because of the Venezuelan elections that December.
The Prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley, and the Prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, were talking about a zone of peace formula between Guyana and Venezuela, and their statements upset the people of Guyana, who were expecting a response like Kamla Bissessar made during the last 48 hours. It shows that both Rowley and Mottley have no knowledge and understanding of the crisis between Guyana and Venezuela, and it shows their lack of expertise in international affairs.
However, Kamla Persad Bissessar’s statement about the Guyana-Venezuela crisis is a classic example of a leader who understands international politics and knows Nicolas Maduro’s political antics. She is fully aware of the political games that Maduro is playing, and, strangely, Rowley and Mottley cannot see it. We wonder why?
Despite potential delays in the Dragon Gas project, Persad-Bissessar encouraged the Guyanese people to resist Venezuela’s aggressive territorial claims, acknowledging their enduring hardships and promising prospects for the future.
Venezuela’s recent efforts to claim a substantial portion of Guyana’s territory, culminating in a referendum to annex the Essequibo region, have heightened tensions in the area. Despite the International Court of Justice’s ruling against compromising Guyana’s control of Essequibo, Venezuela proceeded with the referendum, prompting Guyana to prepare for potential consequences.
Significant strategic allies, including the United States, Brazil, Britain, and Caricom, have firmly supported Guyana in the face of these challenges. Venezuela’s provocations have extended to threats against oil companies and individuals supporting Guyana, as conveyed through recent communiques from President Maduro and Venezuela’s Defence Minister, Vladímir Padrino López, over the past two months.
The leader of the Opposition, Mrs. Bissessar, has warned Maduro to stay out of Guyana and added that if he interferes with the Guyanese people, he is interfering with Trinidad and Tobago, too.
Our research team and journalists’ colleagues in Caracas, Venezuela, have confirmed that the referendum was rigged, and most voters refused to go to the polling stations. Maduro knows it well. It was a complete failure in the eyes of Venezuelans and the world.
However, the Guyanese government must remain vigilant. There will be no military adventurism by Maduro because he knows the consequences of his illegal action will be his complete isolation and downfall. And there is a chance that either Russia, Iran, or North Korea will have to offer Maduro and his family political asylum soon.
Vedan Choolun, London, UK