At the UNC Report in Penal last night, Trinidad and Tobago’s opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar issued a resolute warning to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, cautioning against any interference with the Guyanese people and asserting that such actions would implicate her country as well.
“My clear message to Maduro is you touch one, you touch all! We unequivocally support the people of Guyana in this crisis. Stay out of Essequibo!” Persad-Bissessar declared as quoted in the Trinidad Guardian.
Persad-Bissessar criticized Maduro’s motives behind the ongoing crisis between Guyana and Venezuela, accusing him of fostering nationalism under false pretexts that the international community mistreats Venezuela. She highlighted Maduro’s intention to portray himself as a heroic figure akin to Simon Bolivar and Hugo Chavez, utilizing the crisis to potentially deploy the army and control civic activities to prevent campaigning and protests.
Stressing her support for Guyana, she lambasted Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Keith Rowley for what she perceived as inadequate backing.
“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 said.
Rowley walks tightrope between Venezuela gas deal and defense of Guyana’s sovereignty | OilNOW
Even if Trinidad and Tobago’s support might lead to delays in the Dragon Gas project, Persad-Bissessar encouraged the Guyanese people to stand their ground against Venezuela’s aggressive territorial claims, affirming their enduring hardships and promising prospects for the future.
Venezuela’s recent attempts to claim two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, culminating in a referendum to annex the Essequibo region, have escalated tensions. Despite the International Court of Justice’s ruling against compromising Guyana’s control of Essequibo, Venezuela proceeded with the referendum, prompting Guyana’s preparations for potential outcomes.
Major strategic partners, including the United States, Brazil, Britain, and CARICOM, have rallied behind Guyana. Venezuela’s provocations extended to threats against participating oil companies and individuals supporting Guyana, conveyed through communiques from President Maduro and Venezuela’s Defense Minister, Vladímir Padrino López, over the past two months.
