by staff writer February 4, 2019 PoliticsNo Comments 108 views
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Feb 4, CMC – The leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ), David Abdulah has dismissed calls by Venezuelan nationals residing here for the Trinidad and Tobago government to recognise Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela.
“Citizens of Venezuela can appeal to the government of Venezuela and the parties in Venezuela but Venezuelans here in Trinidad and Tobago cannot determine what the foreign policy of Trinidad and Tobago ought to be,’ Abdulah told reporters.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has already indicated that his administration is adopting the non-interventionist policy with regards to the unfolding situation in Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro is under pressure to step down.
The main opposition United National Congress (UNC) has openly indicated its support for Guaido.
The United States is leading a campaign to oust Maduro claiming he rigged the elections that brought him to office for a second term last year. Several European countries including the United Kingdom, France and Spain have also said they would recognise Guaido.
But Russia, China, Turkey and Cuba have all said they continue to recognise Maduro and the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping has said that it is willing to mediate in the conflict.
Last week, the Venezuelans resident here wrote to Prime Minister Rowley urging him to change his government’s policy and recognise Guaido.
“We would like you to put your hand on your heart by recognising the crying for freedom f millions of Venezuelans who have been victim of notable and escalating humanitarian crimes against our people in the power of the Nicolas Maduro regime,” the letter noted.
“At this crucial moment we would like you to understand that helping the people of Venezuela, not the Nicolas Maduro regime, is in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago citizens, as the relationships amongst our new legitimate and constitutional government, chaired by our interim president Juan Guaido, can led to significant benefits to both countries in relation to effective border controls….”.
But Abdulah told reporters that ‘it is for the government of Trinidad and Tobago and the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago ultimately and the governments of CARICOM and the citizens of CARICOM who must determine the foreign policy of Trinidad and Tobago and of CARICOM’.
Abdulah said that the MSJ supports the efforts of CARICOM and was happy that Maduro was open to dialogue and mediation.
“Very regrettably, but not surprising, Guaido has taken the consistent right-wing line of the opposition position rejecting any talks, rejecting any mediation and simply wanting for resolving the thing by force backed, of course, by the United States and some other countries.”
Abdulah said that Madura spoke at a rally over the weekend, much bigger than that of Guaido.
“So it is not as if President Maduro is clinging on to power by himself and so on and the vast majority of the Venezuelans are against him. That is not the case.”
