US$50M trade deal with Venezuela.
By Clint Chan Tack (Newsday)
Tuesday, May 24 2016
TRINIDAD and Tobago and Venezuela yesterday reached agreement on a US$50 million revolving fund, that will be used by Venezuela to purchase critical manufactured goods from this country, for its citizens.
The announcement was made by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, following bilateral discussions at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s.
The trade agreement was reached against the backdrop of Venezuelan citizens protesting outside of the Diplomatic Centre about the inability of their countrymen being unable to access many basic goods (including food and medicine) within their nation, which continues to be gripped by social and political unrest. (See Page 5) Recalling that his country’s liberators found refuge in TT and the mutual respect which both nations share for each other, Maduro announced key agreements on energy and security which he and Rowley had reached at the end of their discussions. “We have also decided to increase the trade flow between the two nations,” Maduro said, adding this involves establishment of a revolving US$50 million fund by his government.
He explained that through this fund, “We will be able to strengthen the trade flow between TT and the eastern part of Venezuela.” In noting that Maduro was the first foreign Head of State to be hosted by his administration, since it assumed office last September, Rowley said TT was, “pleased that financing has been put in place to enable cross border trade of manufactured items.” Observing that the people of TT and Venezuela share common challenges, Rowley said, “We look forward from TT to provide some significant relief to the people of Venezuela.” Expressing satisfaction with the agreements on trade, security and energy which both countries agreed upon at the end of yesterday’s bilateral discussions, Rowley said the groundwork began in conversations between both governments since last September.
Describing Maduro’s visit as very productive and very useful, the Prime Minister declared, “As we move on to the execution phase, the outcomes of these decisions will have far reaching positive consequences for the people of Venezuela and the people of TT.” Speaking afterwards with reporters about the trade agreement, Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon identified chicken, butter, ketchup, rice and black beans as some items which could be going to Venezuela under this agreement.
Indicating that her ministry had already provided the Venezuelan government with a list of manufactured goods in TT, Gopee-Scoon said details will be fleshed out when the Venezuelan vice trade minister and a delegation of Venezuelan private sector representatives, visit this country next week.
She also gave the assurance that there would be, “easy and swift payment to manufacturers within a reasonable time frame as well.” Asked which local manufacturers would be providing goods to Venezuela under this agreement, Gopee-Scoon said her ministry would inform the media accordingly as the details are fleshed out in the coming weeks.
Gopee-Scoon, who served as foreign affairs minister in the former Patrick Manning administration, said that Government recognised the current state of affairs in Venezuela.
However she said the agreements reached between both nations yesterday was part and parcel of the continued strong diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Gopee-Scoon was one of several ministers who were part of Rowley’s delegation at yesterday’s bilateral talks. Attorney General Faris Al Rawi, Finance Minister Colm Imbert, Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dennis Moses, Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, Minister in the Ministry of the AG and Legal Affairs Stuart Young, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon and Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre were the other members of the Government’s delegation.
Maduro’s delegation included Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Delcy Rodriguez, Petroleum and Mining Minister Eulogio del Pino, Industry and Commerce Minister Miguel Pérez Abad, Vice Minister for Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Alexander Yánez Deleuze and Venezuelan Ambassador to TT Coromoto Godoy Calderon.
TT, Venezuela talk prisoner exchange
T&T Newsday
PRIME MINISTER Dr Keith Rowley yesterday announced that National Security Minister Edmund Dillon will be going to Venezuela on May 30 for direct government to government talks that could lead to the repatriation of five TT nationals incarcerated in the South American nation on charges of terrorism to this country.
The talks which Dillon will have with his Venezuelan counterparts in Caracas next week will also be aimed at clamping down on the flow of illegal drugs and guns into TT, in order to curb crime in this country. “We agreed after discussions that we would take steps, on both sides of the border, to ensure our immigration and judicial processes repatriate our citizens currently in various states of detention on both sides of border,” Rowley said.
Agreeing with Maduro about the need to strengthen cross border security, Rowley said, “We also discussed at length the common purpose of reducing illicit activity in western Venezuela in so far as it affects the waters and territory of TT.” The Prime Minister said he and Maduro agreed that the security services of both countries meet as a matter of urgency and re-establish the joint TT-Venezuela security operation coordinating committee.
Rowley added that Dillon will also discuss this matter on May 30 and this will usher in a new era of security cooperation between both countries. Speaking afterwards with reporters, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said the matter of repatriation of the five TT nationals was not contingent on any type of trade or relief from this country being offered to Venezuela.
“The issue of Trinidadian citizens who have been held in detention in Caracas, is the subject of judicial process in Caracas.
We have been tracking this issue since we came into office,” Al-Rawi.
On a time frame for the repatriation of the five TT nationals and some 18 Venezuelan nationals detained in TT, Al-Rawi said both countries have agreed that these matters should be handled with alacrity.
Asked what would happen to these persons once they are repatriated, the AG replied, “That’s a matter for us at the AG’s Office to manage in conjunction with the Minister of National Security.” Saying all persons have the benefit of being innocent until proven guilty, Al-Rawi explained, “These are allegations in a foreign territory.
The method for designation of terrorism, if that’s your question, is one which only happens after conviction.” When a reporter asked if these persons would be subject to this country’s judicial system when they are repatriated, Al-Rawi replied, “Why so pessimistic? Let’s get the facts first. Law ought not to be done on the side of a room.
There is a judicial process to be followed and due process must be followed. Al-Rawi said matters arising out of yesterday’s talks with Maduro would not cause any diplomatic problems with the United States or any other country TT has ties with.
Trini Venezuelans outraged
By MIRANDA LA ROSE
Tuesday, May 24 2016
SURPRISE gave way to frustration and then outrage among a group of Venezuelans living in this country, as local police used two buses to block their pots and pan protest from the view of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as his entourage entered the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s.
Some of the protestors wept in frustration while others - mainly women - confronted heavily armed police officers demanding their human right to publicly protest not be infringed. Had the vehicle transporting Maduro slowed down and the glasses wound down, he would clearly have heard angry chants of, “Get out Maduro!”, by the protestors.
Mixed in with the Venezuelan natives were supporters and relatives of five Trinidadian Muslims who have been in custody in Venezuela for the past three years. As the buses were driven and parked strategically on the roadway, the shouts of “Get out Maduro” turned to “Remove the buses!” The two 25-seater buses had earlier transported a guardof- honour and band members.
As Maduro’s entourage left the Office of the President and made its way to the private entrance of the official residence of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, the police moved the two buses, one behind the other, into position and blocked the protestors who were banging on empty pots and pans and shouting slogans for Maduro to demit office.
As the buses were being moved, activist Yesenia Gonzalez broke away from the group of protestors, and made her way to the pavement facing Queen’s Hall and prostrated herself on the ground. As the convoy of vehicles approached, Gonzalez tried to break free to get on to the street but five police officers in riot gear restrained her.
The tight blanket of security that covered the area included over 12 police cars and the two buses. They took up strategic positions along St Ann’s Road long before the arrival of the convoy.
In the background, on President’s Grounds were armed camouflage- clad soldiers. In brief remarks, Gonzalez told reporters that their protest was sabotaged.
She said Maduro could run, “but he cannot hide!” “There is no food. No medicine.
No toilet paper. Children are dying for want of medical care,” she shouted. Asked what they will do next, she said, the plan is to go home and continue praying.
“We are going to pray hard to get this man out of office!” Asked if they could have been blocked for protesting in Venezuela, she said, “Worse. We could get killed.” She said she did not expect to be grabbed when all she was carrying was a crucifix and Venezuela’s national flag. Faye Torres, through her tears said, “The police prevented us from sending our message. They made us believe we had the privilege. They took away that privilege by blocking our messages.” Earlier, Beatriz Joseph told Newsday they were on the picket line to demand that Maduro demit office because his administration has destroyed the economy, destroyed institutions, failed to maintain the dams that provide hydro-electricity and have failed at providing basic services to the people.
Asked about TT and Venezuela entering into an energy agreement, Joseph said, “To my knowledge, Dr Keith Rowley is desperate also because he has his own cocoa in the sun.” It is disgusting, she said, to see TT being asked to assist Venezuela on humanitarian grounds.
Also on the picket line, but not in solidarity with the protesting Venezuelans, were some members of the Joint Trade Union Movement who stood in solidarity with Maduro. They assembled on the pavement outside Queen’s Hall before making their way outside the Office of the President.
They did not meet with the other protestors.
Among them was former general secretary of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) and Political Leader of the Movement for Social Justice David Abdulah. A member of the Steel Workers Union of TT told Newsday his presence was to warn the TT Government, “if you do not watch yourself, what is going on in Venezuela, could happen here.
“That is the statement. We are not supporting Maduro.”