PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) says Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has fallen into a pattern of issuing WhatsApp messages to avoid proper media scrutiny and an appropriate degree of public clarity.
Penelope BecklesIn a statement late Wednesday, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles pointed to the Prime Minister’s WhatsApp missive in which she declared that the United States of America should “kill them all violently”.
The opposition leader described the statement as “reckless, disgraceful and inconsistent with the oath she has taken to uphold the Constitution and the law. It is completely unbecoming of our head of government who is expected to be more prudent in her language.”
“Her inflammatory social media output draws our country into unnecessary conflict over which we have little to no control and can put our legitimate fisherfolks, offshore workers, and other workers in the maritime space at increased risk.”
“Furthermore, it disregards the potential for heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States, which can be best reduced through prudent and diplomatic engagement.”
The opposition leader questioned whether the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was consulted or engaged “before such unprecedented alignment with foreign military action”.
“ Given the Prime Minister’s scant regard for CARICOM, we must question whether she engaged in any consultations with our CARICOM colleagues before this new round of public cheerleading for foreign military action.”
The statement added that given “the insufficient, varying, and contrasting details provided to the regional public, it would be important for the Prime Minister to give some clarity on the location of the vessel in question, and additional clarity on any coordination with the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard.”
“The Opposition is clear. We support strong and decisive action against drug trafficking, but it must be lawful, coordinated, and respectful of our national values and international obligations.”
The opposition has called on Persad-Bissessar “to immediately retract her reckless statement, to appear before the media, and to provide the public with proper answers. We again remind the Prime Minister of her responsibilities as the assigned Caricom lead on regional security, and we are troubled that none of her commentary since the most recent deployment of foreign troops reflects any commitment to fulfil Trinidad and Tobago’s coordination obligations in such regard.”
“Trinidad and Tobago deserves leadership that is strong, wise, and responsible. We cannot and ought not to support impulsive, inflammatory, dangerous rhetoric that can undermine our security and credibility.”
