The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, publicly questioned how Caribbean governments and parties can claim to uphold "free and fair" democratic elections while, in her view, Cuban citizens do not have that right. She stated that her country will not support a dictatorship on the island.
"I will not support a dictatorship in Cuba... or anywhere else," he said during a speech at the 50th Ordinary Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, where he advocated that democracy, the rule of law, and a multiparty system must prevail in the region.
Persad-Bissessar argued that all the leaders present were elected in democratic elections and posed a direct question: why do some Caribbean governments believe that they and their supporters “should have the right” to democratic elections if, as she claimed, there are no free and fair elections in Cuba?
"I empathize with good people," but "there is a dictatorial regime."
In her speech, the leader stated that she empathizes with "the good people of Cuba," but emphasized that "there is a regime that is dictatorial" and that "none of us want that in our country."
In that context, he insisted that it is not defensible for some to live under "communism and dictatorship" while Caribbean countries aspire to live under "democracy and capitalism."
He also suggested that it is necessary to find a mechanism to channel humanitarian efforts toward the Cuban people, without that implying —in his words— support for the regime.
Multiparty system, freedoms, and separation of powers
Persad-Bissessar listed elements that she asserted should guide Trinidad and Tobago and democratic countries: free and fair elections in a multiparty system, equality before the law, the rule of law, "the rule of the majority and the rights of minorities," separation of powers, checks and balances, accountability and transparency, and freedom of expression and association.
In the same address, the prime minister stated that they would not support dictatorships and mentioned that she was also referring to the situation in Haiti.
Persad-Bissessar also spoke about Venezuela and recalled a tense relationship with Nicolás Maduro "until his downfall" in a military incursion by the United States in Caracas on January 3, in addition to mentioning the break in commercial relations and the suspension of energy agreements with the archipelago.
He also questioned how the Caribbean could be a "zone of peace" if — as he stated — a "narcodictator" imprisoned and killed thousands of civilians and opposition members, and asserted that Trinidad and Tobago would not align itself with the ideologies or foreign policies of the bloc, but would instead craft its own policy to defend its sovereignty.
Persad-Bissessar thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for ordering a drug enforcement operation that —she claimed— has involved the bombing of more than 40 vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in over 150 fatalities, although Washington has not provided "conclusive evidence" that the targeted vessels were involved in drug trafficking, sparking a debate about the legality of the operations.
In this context, the Prime Minister assured that the operation helped reduce crime in her country, citing a 42% decrease in homicides (equivalent to 257 murders). She also mentioned that in December, a radar installed by marines on the island began operating to combat drug trafficking and the transportation of sanctioned Venezuelan crude oil.
Filed under: