Senior Reporter
akash.samaroo@cnc3.co.tt
There are differing views from international relations experts on the Prime Minister’s handling of the political turmoil in Venezuela in the aftermath of the country’s presidential elections.
While one expert believes the Prime Minister must maintain neutrality, another thinks it is a cowardly approach.
Venezuela’s incumbent President Nicolas Maduro and Opposition leader Edmundo González are locked in a political standoff with both claiming victory in the recently held presidential elections.
Deadly protests erupted in the country as multiple people refused to recognise Maduro as the victor even though it was announced by the country’s electoral authority.
Commenting on the matter last Friday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said Cabinet will not be taking a position on the Venezuela election result, nor will he make any pronouncements on it.
University of Miami Professor Emeritus Anthony T Bryan said it’s an unsurprising strategy from the Prime Minister.
“T&T has always followed a principle of neutrality and non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other nations. The Venezuelan elections are an internal matter to be resolved by the Venezuelan people and if they want to solicit the help of others that is their prerogative,” Prof Bryan explained.
He added, “T&T has to adhere to this principle particularly in the case of a very close neighbour of about 30 million persons and with one of the strongest militaries in Latin America. T&T must maintain this neutrality and be prepared to do business as usual with whatever government is in power at a particular time. Countries such as Mexico, Uruguay and Barbados among many others, hold to this principle of non-interference.”
However, Dr Indira Rampersad, head of political science at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, believes the Prime Minister must take a definitive position soon, as the political and socio-economic instability in Venezuela has a direct effect on this country.
“So, Venezuela is in turmoil, opposition forces are protesting heavily, allegations of election rigging are widespread, most of the Western world is against Maduro at this point and Trinidad and Tobago which is its closest neighbour, is taking a neutral stance? I think it will be incredulous to the world. Given not only the dragon field which we expect is the reason for the caution but also the migration conundrum and this is a crisis of intense proportions, the country cannot absorb more migrants from Venezuela,” Rampersad posited.
She added that the migration of Venezuelans into this country is a burden on taxpayers and, therefore, the Prime Minister cannot play it safe for too long.
“So, we would have to make a statement sooner or later and we cannot take a neutral position which is a safe and cowardly position in the midst of this crisis,” she asserted.
On July 29, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves congratulated Maduro for winning the contentious elections.
However, both analysts were unified in their objections to his statements.
“Dr Ralph Gonzales is out of place. He has his own agenda with respect to Maduro and should not try to foist it on others,” Prof Bryan asserted.
Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar has so far refrained from stating the United National Congress’ position on the Venezuelan elections.
In 2019, Persad-Bissessar backed then Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guiado who received the support of dozens of foreign governments including the US, UK and Brazil when he claimed that he was the legitimate winner of the country’s presidential election.
Rampersad believes while Persad-Bissessar doesn’t need to declare who the party recognises as the winner; she should acknowledge the socio-political issues.
“Many of their supporters are being affected by the crime and many are also being affected by the presence of Venezuelans in the country and the burdens on the health system, economic system and utilities, so it would be important for them to make a statement and not necessarily take a side,” she posited.