PM Persad-Bissessar assures Trinidad will not be used against Venezuela

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has given a firm assurance that Trinidad and Tobago will not be used as a base for any military action against Venezuela, amid rising tensions in the region.

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Her comments came in response to a pointed critique from former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, who raised questions about the country’s stance on United States-Venezuela tensions during a media briefing at his Glencoe home. Rowley criticized the government’s handling of Trinidad and Tobago’s position in the face of recent US military activity in the Caribbean.

Persad-Bissessar downplayed the significance of Rowley’s remarks, saying, “As a citizen, he has a democratic right to express his opinions. However, the facts remain.”

She noted that while Trinidad and Tobago signed an updated Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the US last year under Rowley’s administration—which allows cooperation with US military training exercises in the region—this does not permit any offensive action against Venezuela from T&T territory.

“The US has NEVER requested use of our territory to launch any attacks against the people of Venezuela. Trinidad and Tobago territory will NOT be used to launch any attacks against the people of Venezuela. Trinidad and Tobago is a sovereign state and does not blindly follow the US or any bloc such as CARICOM,” she said.

Citing the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Caribbean and US Marines participating in exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, the Prime Minister emphasized that her government’s foreign policy prioritizes national interest. “Our foreign policy is Trinidad and Tobago first. As Lord Palmerston said, ‘We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow,’” she added.

While underscoring the country’s ongoing challenges with drug and gun trafficking, Persad-Bissessar said her government remains committed to international cooperation in combating these threats. However, she stressed that cooperation does not extend to harming Venezuela or its people.

“Trinidad and Tobago will NOT participate in any act that will bring harm to the Venezuelan people. We continue to have peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela. The Trinidad and Tobago Government supports the selection of leaders through free and fair democratic elections. Trinidad and Tobago citizens and infrastructure are NOT at risk as we are NOT participants in any aggression against the people of Venezuela,” the Prime Minister said.