March 28, 2024, 10:14:40 AM

Author Topic: Venezuelans and T&T Thread  (Read 37182 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline asylumseeker

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18073
    • View Profile
Re: World Turns a Blind Eye to Crisis in Venezuela
« Reply #60 on: January 26, 2016, 03:11:16 PM »
Venezuela has been announced as having three cities in the Top Ten most violent cities in the world ... Caracas being deemed the most violent city in the world.

Offline R45

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 604
    • View Profile
Re: World Turns a Blind Eye to Crisis in Venezuela
« Reply #61 on: January 26, 2016, 03:23:03 PM »
Situation in Venezuela today is crazy and scary. Saw some relatives who had been there in November - they spent 3 hours looking for milk, bread, and meat (going from grocery to grocery, stores empty). Inflation is absolutely insane - a quote for changing a tire doubled in a space of two weeks. I feel for people who are powerless in that situation.

Offline kounty

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 3153
  • Truthfulness is brighter than the light of the sun
    • View Profile
Re: World Turns a Blind Eye to Crisis in Venezuela
« Reply #62 on: January 27, 2016, 12:10:59 PM »
Situation in Venezuela today is crazy and scary. Saw some relatives who had been there in November - they spent 3 hours looking for milk, bread, and meat (going from grocery to grocery, stores empty). Inflation is absolutely insane - a quote for changing a tire doubled in a space of two weeks. I feel for people who are powerless in that situation.
yeah saw this on the news in trini the otherday. highest inflation rate in the world now they say. low oil prices do all that? (or is a concerted effort by babylon a la zimbabwe)?


Offline R45

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 604
    • View Profile
Re: World Turns a Blind Eye to Crisis in Venezuela
« Reply #63 on: January 27, 2016, 12:56:06 PM »
yeah saw this on the news in trini the otherday. highest inflation rate in the world now they say. low oil prices do all that? (or is a concerted effort by babylon a la zimbabwe)?

I don't think it would be fair to attribute it to one thing. Venezuela has for years had wealth inequality, but the measures started by Chavez to address/reverse it has over the last decade largely killed private enterprise. When the oil dollar was high, it was something they could throw oil dollars at (big welfare state, very little real economic development outside oil and gas). Now with the oil price shocks, they have no foreign currency and a completely damaged local economy. Venezuela imports most of its food (agriculture never developed) and basic goods, so with no foreign exchange, basic inflation is literally killing people.

It's very sad to see and the situation is so unstable, people in T&T need to keep their eyes on it (both from just watching your neighbours house on fire [i.e. water your own roof], but also learn from their mistakes).

Offline Flex

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18062
  • A Trini 4 Real.
    • View Profile
    • Soca Warriors Online
Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #64 on: May 25, 2016, 02:25:21 AM »
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.”

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline asylumseeker

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18073
    • View Profile
Re: US$50M trade deal with Venezuela to T&T.
« Reply #65 on: May 25, 2016, 05:38:32 AM »
Prisoner exchange? Really?!!!!! On what basis?!!!! Send theirs back. Leave ours there?

Offline Sando prince

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 9192
    • View Profile
Venezuelans get food supply from T&T
« Reply #66 on: June 23, 2016, 04:34:32 PM »

One of the Venezuela military aircrafts that landed at the Piarco International Airport on Thursday to transport local food items to Venezuela after a meeting with Venezuelan officials and the Ministry of Trade on Tuesday. -Photo: ROBERT TAYLOR

Venezuelans get food supply from T&T


Venezuela this morning began receiving the first batch of much needed food items from Trinidad and Tobago.

Early this morning, two cargo planes from Venezuela's military arrived at the Piarco International Airport and began airlifting tonnes of items including chicken tomato ketchup, spaghetti, milk and mayonnaise to the Latin American country, which is currently facing a food shortage.

VEMCO Limited director, national brands, Christopher Alcazar told the Express that US$100, 000 worth of Swiss Tomato Ketchup, Swiss Spaghetti, Kerrigold Powdered Milk and Swiss Mayonnaise were delivered to Venezuela. Arawak Company Limited's managing director Robin Phillips confirmed that a similar amount in chicken was also sent across.
Read More: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20160623/news/venezuelans-get-food-supply-from-tt
.
« Last Edit: June 23, 2016, 04:36:59 PM by Sando prince »

Offline Sando prince

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 9192
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans get food supply from T&T
« Reply #67 on: June 23, 2016, 11:29:47 PM »

T&T has always been one of the more generous countries in the region. Throughout our post Independence history we have answered the call in several different ways to assist nations in our region. Every T&T government that has been office has done this

Offline g

  • mr greggle71
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 2459
  • semi match fit
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans get food supply from T&T
« Reply #68 on: June 24, 2016, 10:00:55 AM »
This isn't generosity, this is a new trade market. The biggest concern was and probably will continue to be the reliability of the Venezuelan government to maintain their schedule of payments as per signed agreements. The first payments were received prior to airlifting this first shipment. Time will tell if this will be sustained on both sides as we can easily maximize our production capacity via this new market.
Soca Warriors, the pride of a nation

Offline Deeks

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18631
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans get food supply from T&T
« Reply #69 on: June 24, 2016, 01:07:10 PM »
This isn't generosity, this is a new trade market. The biggest concern was and probably will continue to be the reliability of the Venezuelan government to maintain their schedule of payments as per signed agreements. The first payments were received prior to airlifting this first shipment. Time will tell if this will be sustained on both sides as we can easily maximize our production capacity via this new market.

Yes, that is how I interpret this trade. We can't afford to give aid at this moment. I would have ask for the TT national team to play in the Ven. pro-league as part of the concession.

Offline ribbit

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 4294
  • T & T We Want A Goal !
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans get food supply from T&T
« Reply #70 on: June 24, 2016, 01:32:39 PM »
a few years back when oil was high, venezuela had money to bail out argentina. now dey struggling to survive. an epic collapse.

they should rename "dutch disease" to "venezuela disease".

Offline ribbit

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 4294
  • T & T We Want A Goal !
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans get food supply from T&T
« Reply #71 on: June 30, 2016, 11:59:08 AM »
ah took in this short piece on recent venezuela elections:


<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/HC7LInc3yDU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/HC7LInc3yDU</a>


i didn't realize chavez STILL have such an effect on people. is that a revolutionary theme - living out de dream of the dead saviour - like guevara? they won't get far with that kind of mentality - they need to make some big changes.

Offline asylumseeker

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18073
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans get food supply from T&T
« Reply #72 on: February 07, 2019, 07:16:21 AM »


(Photo courtesy The New York Times)

There is nothing more emblematic of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago's failed foreign policy posture concerning Venezuela than Nicolás Maduro's move to block the delivery of humanitarian assistance to his fellow citizens.
« Last Edit: February 07, 2019, 07:17:58 AM by asylumseeker »

Offline asylumseeker

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18073
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans get food supply from T&T
« Reply #73 on: February 10, 2019, 11:49:29 AM »
Jumbie, dahis you contributing as "Jumbie" on Wired868 or someone else?

Offline Flex

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18062
  • A Trini 4 Real.
    • View Profile
    • Soca Warriors Online
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #74 on: February 14, 2019, 05:34:05 AM »
Venezuelan ‘sex ring’ victims still being treated.
By Ryan Hamilton-Davis (Newsday).


The 19 Venezuelan girls who were rescued by police from an alleged sex ring last Wednesday continue to receive treatment, both medical and psychological, as police investigate how they entered the country and how they were found.

National Security Minister, Stuart Young updated reporters during a press conference held at the Nat Sec Building on Abercromby Street yesterday.

Young yesterday thanked the Minister of Social Development Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn for her assistance with the girls, saying that she stationed even more social workers at a safe house where the 19 girls are being kept.

Young said investigators are speaking with the girls, with the assistance of interpreters as they investigate the matter.

“We are hoping the information we get from there will help with further intelligence-driven operations,” Young said.

Young added that with the nation’s borders being heavily guarded by the Coast Guard, there has been a reduction in the influx of South Americans entering the country illegally, but noted as things worsen in Venezuela, there is a possibility that there would be more illegal immigrants coming into the country. Young said there was a policy which is expected in Parliament to treat with the influx of South Americans.

“The Ministry of National Security has been mandated by the prime minister to develop a policy to the registration of Venezuelans and how we deal with them. We are currently formulating that policy, which should be in my view a registration of all Venezuelans so we have them in a system.

“You hear all sorts of numbers being batted about, but just looking at the immigration records is not going to be sufficient. So the first part of that policy is that we will deal with registration of Venezuelans that are here and we will take further decision after that,” Young said.

Last Wednesday the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), under Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith, cracked down on a possible child sex ring, rescuing 19 girls between 15 and 17 from a house. Thirteen people were arrested in relation to the incident.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18062
  • A Trini 4 Real.
    • View Profile
    • Soca Warriors Online
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #75 on: February 14, 2019, 05:35:10 AM »
Cousins held in Venezuela released.
By Seeta Persad (Newsday).


COUSINS Kenrick Morgan, 17, and 24-year-old Kendell Singh, who were allegedly kidnapped by Venezuelan pirates on January 14, have returned safely to their homes. The Moruga youths spent a month in captivity.

Morgan and Singh were kidnapped while fishing in the Columbus Channel in Moruga.

A relative of the cousins said a ransom of US$12,000, together with grocery items and a bucket of KFC, were handed over in exchange for their release.

Morgan was released at Erin, and Singh at Moruga between 3.30 and 4.30pm on Tuesday.

Ashley Boodoo, sister of Kenrick, said her brother was dehydrated and needed medical attention. Boodoo said he received intravenous fluids at the Siparia health facility, and he was then taken home to Moruga. She said he was not in a proper frame of mind to speak with the media.

But she said, “Our prayers have been answered. We know God was on our side and this nightmare will come to an end.”

Kenrick’s mother Linda Boodoo was too emotional to speak. “My mother knelt and prayed when she got the news,” said Ashley.

She said she would not like anyone else to experience such horror. “It is most distressing to know that your relative may be killed at any time.”

Her family continues to give praise to the Lord, she said, for keeping her younger brother alive while he was held captive.

After the cousins went missing, the families were reportedly contacted by phone by a Spanish-speaking man who told them if US$40,000 was not paid, the two would be killed. A photograph of the cousins with a man holding a gun to their heads was sent to the family.

The release of the two comes days after seven other men from the Morne Diablo area were returned to TT from Venezuela after also being held captive and ransoms demanded.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline asylumseeker

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18073
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans get food supply from T&T
« Reply #76 on: February 23, 2019, 04:20:19 PM »
Jumbie, dahis you contributing as "Jumbie" on Wired868 or someone else?

If it is you, let me applaud the innings yuh bat in representing the contrarian view regarding Baldeosingh's article on intervention, South Africa and Venezuela.

Although it was not a Letter to the Editor without deficiencies, the core issue raised held merit.

Offline kounty

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 3153
  • Truthfulness is brighter than the light of the sun
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #77 on: February 26, 2019, 08:24:31 PM »


(Photo courtesy The New York Times)

There is nothing more emblematic of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago's failed foreign policy posture concerning Venezuela than Nicolás Maduro's move to block the delivery of humanitarian assistance to his fellow citizens.

sharing koolaid?
democracy now..take a listen

Offline asylumseeker

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18073
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #78 on: February 27, 2019, 02:11:38 AM »
Was there supposed to be something in that article that disturbs my assertion?

Offline lefty

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5888
  • would u like to buy an 'O'.........
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #79 on: February 27, 2019, 01:57:27 PM »
My question is though.....should Venezuela's elitist oligarchy operating in concert with the US be allowed to simply win..........either way there is serious ramifications for T&Ts interests especially as it related to to dragon.......the human cost notwithstanding....there is clear and present danger to our interests either way rock and a hard place.........I have no confidence dat d nex set dat positioning deyself  to be puppets have we best interest at heart where this issue is regarded
I pity the fool....

Offline asylumseeker

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18073
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #80 on: February 27, 2019, 03:40:22 PM »
My question is though.....should Venezuela's elitist oligarchy operating in concert with the US be allowed to simply win..........either way there is serious ramifications for T&Ts interests especially as it related to to dragon.......the human cost notwithstanding....there is clear and present danger to our interests either way rock and a hard place.........I have no confidence dat d nex set dat positioning deyself  to be puppets have we best interest at heart where this issue is regarded

Is "in concert with the US" a fair and comprehensive charge doh? Canada's foreign policy orientation and global standing is weighted differently than the US and Canada has been at the diplomatic, activist pointed edge of taking on Maduro's bankrupt leadership. We are a bit beyond the hemispheric politics of Venezuela being in the US' backyard. I don't agree with the polarity of the US being the biggest winner or only winner post-Maduro and that US orchestration will persist post-Maduro.

The narrative of pro-US and anti-US is from a vocabulary that should be retired from Latin American simplification of US interests, but it won't even die a slow death.

Otherwise, you touch precisely on an aspect of why I regard T&T's foreign policy as failed. Karma is positioned to be a diplomatic bitch.

By the way, some of the elites are part of the Maduro inheritance (for example, Tareck El Aissami). They are not all resident in Chacao.

But, to be fair ... it is reasonable to distinguish within the strata between elites and elitist oligarchs.

I agree with our foreign policy to the extent that we should not be picking winners ... but, we also should not be picking losers. And we are "in concert" with a loser. He just hasn't lost yet officially.
« Last Edit: February 27, 2019, 03:53:38 PM by asylumseeker »

Offline lefty

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5888
  • would u like to buy an 'O'.........
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #81 on: February 27, 2019, 08:56:43 PM »
My question is though.....should Venezuela's elitist oligarchy operating in concert with the US be allowed to simply win..........either way there is serious ramifications for T&Ts interests especially as it related to to dragon.......the human cost notwithstanding....there is clear and present danger to our interests either way rock and a hard place.........I have no confidence dat d nex set dat positioning deyself  to be puppets have we best interest at heart where this issue is regarded

Is "in concert with the US" a fair and comprehensive charge doh? Canada's foreign policy orientation and global standing is weighted differently than the US and Canada has been at the diplomatic, activist pointed edge of taking on Maduro's bankrupt leadership. We are a bit beyond the hemispheric politics of Venezuela being in the US' backyard. I don't agree with the polarity of the US being the biggest winner or only winner post-Maduro and that US orchestration will persist post-Maduro.

The narrative of pro-US and anti-US is from a vocabulary that should be retired from Latin American simplification of US interests, but it won't even die a slow death.

Otherwise, you touch precisely on an aspect of why I regard T&T's foreign policy as failed. Karma is positioned to be a diplomatic bitch.

By the way, some of the elites are part of the Maduro inheritance (for example, Tareck El Aissami). They are not all resident in Chacao.

But, to be fair ... it is reasonable to distinguish within the strata between elites and elitist oligarchs.

I agree with our foreign policy to the extent that we should not be picking winners ... but, we also should not be picking losers. And we are "in concert" with a loser. He just hasn't lost yet officially.
therein lies d rub, we need dragon to be on stream and as it stands our "neutrality" is hinged on an agreement "in principle" that makes us neutral only in official position, a more delicate approach may have been to put in place the refugee structure we are now hastily seeking to build and let the matter play out as organically as possible. The gov't perceived hostile position on refugees certainly does not help our current predicament
I pity the fool....

Offline asylumseeker

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18073
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #82 on: February 27, 2019, 09:02:24 PM »
Perceived hostility to refugees? ;D

Offline kounty

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 3153
  • Truthfulness is brighter than the light of the sun
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #83 on: February 28, 2019, 06:31:10 AM »


(Photo courtesy The New York Times)

There is nothing more emblematic of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago's failed foreign policy posture concerning Venezuela than Nicolás Maduro's move to block the delivery of humanitarian assistance to his fellow citizens.
Was there supposed to be something in that article that disturbs my assertion?
Quote
The United Nations, the Red Cross and other relief organizations have refused to work with the U.S. on delivering aid to Venezuela, which they say is politically motivated. Venezuela has allowed aid to be flown in from Russia and from some international organizations, but it has refused to allow in aid from the United States, describing it as a Trojan horse for an eventual U.S. invasion.

be fair and call out everybody else.

block semantics and say you on one side and you want t&t to be on that side.

Offline asylumseeker

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18073
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #84 on: February 28, 2019, 08:40:40 AM »
Believe it or not, all aid is politically motivated and all aid comes with a price. Second, neutrality is a fundamental underpinning of the operations of relief and international organizations like the UN. Nothing surprising about their position. They have to protect their ability to effect their core mission without compromising it in the absence of a lack of consultation/consensus (between the US and Venezuelan authorities) about the delivery of such aid.

Another US administration would have finessed this differently through back channels. It is certainly more difficult to finesse Kim Jong-un than Maduro. What's preventing penetration with Maduro? (Among the answers to that question are the futures of individuals such as El Aissami mentioned above  and Elías Jaua).

The Venezuela issue is not an issue on which any government about these parts should be neutral. Who are we kidding? We have a crisis that has manifested direct implications and consequences within our borders and we feign pretence at neutrality? We are not neutral. On the one hand we are economic opportunists leveraging political cowardice, a lack of moral authority and a lack of leadership and on the other hand we could have seen these days coming many moons ago. Yet, nothing in our policy suggests that we have been anything other than reacting reflexively to the Venezuelan presence within the country.

At the time I posted, I was aware of the Trojan horse concern but it bolsters rather than undermines my view. If the analysis for Maduro comes down to covering his ass or feeding his people, we know what he would choose. And the blockage of the Tienditas bridge is as I stated emblematic of the nonsense.

Do we really have an interest in halting the migratory flow? If so, what should our foreign policy reflect to get us there?
« Last Edit: February 28, 2019, 08:44:03 AM by asylumseeker »

Offline lefty

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5888
  • would u like to buy an 'O'.........
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #85 on: February 28, 2019, 03:57:45 PM »
Perceived hostility to refugees? ;D

the gov't approach is more akin to abdication than hostile in my view, the in/actions of related agencies is enough evidence of that.....on the ground it's more a "keep yuh head down and we won't bother you" type posture, what is hostile is the side effects of the intentional tunnel vision by gov't, re: labour and sex exploitation by the general public, other than that, most move freely within our shores as it stands....I from south so I "interact", read, share public spaces with them regularly, If you get "caught", busted sex ring and what have you, the gov't will act, but it doh have nutten proactive goin on in any shape or form regarding repatriation or regularization.
I pity the fool....

Offline Flex

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18062
  • A Trini 4 Real.
    • View Profile
    • Soca Warriors Online
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #86 on: March 06, 2019, 01:24:18 AM »
12 Venezuelans arrested in Point
T&T Guardian Reports


Po­lice ar­rest­ed 12 Venezue­lans in Point Fortin on on Car­ni­val Mon­day.

The group of ten men, one woman and a 14-year-old girl were found by po­lice along South Cen­tral Road, Point Fortin. They were all charged with be­ing in the coun­try il­le­gal­ly.

They were tak­en in­to cus­tody at the Point Fortin Po­lice Sta­tion and the Im­mi­gra­tion and Counter-Traf­fick­ing Units were con­tact­ed.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18062
  • A Trini 4 Real.
    • View Profile
    • Soca Warriors Online
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #87 on: March 07, 2019, 05:48:42 AM »


THANKS GOES OUT TO ALL THE TRINI MEN FOR CARNIVAL

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline asylumseeker

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18073
    • View Profile
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #88 on: March 08, 2019, 05:42:41 PM »
Believe it or not, all aid is politically motivated and all aid comes with a price. Second, neutrality is a fundamental underpinning of the operations of relief and international organizations like the UN. Nothing surprising about their position. They have to protect their ability to effect their core mission without compromising it in the absence of a lack of consultation/consensus (between the US and Venezuelan authorities) about the delivery of such aid.

Another US administration would have finessed this differently through back channels. It is certainly more difficult to finesse Kim Jong-un than Maduro. What's preventing penetration with Maduro? (Among the answers to that question are the futures of individuals such as El Aissami mentioned above  and Elías Jaua).

The Venezuela issue is not an issue on which any government about these parts should be neutral. Who are we kidding? We have a crisis that has manifested direct implications and consequences within our borders and we feign pretence at neutrality? We are not neutral. On the one hand we are economic opportunists leveraging political cowardice, a lack of moral authority and a lack of leadership and on the other hand we could have seen these days coming many moons ago. Yet, nothing in our policy suggests that we have been anything other than reacting reflexively to the Venezuelan presence within the country.

At the time I posted, I was aware of the Trojan horse concern but it bolsters rather than undermines my view. If the analysis for Maduro comes down to covering his ass or feeding his people, we know what he would choose. And the blockage of the Tienditas bridge is as I stated emblematic of the nonsense.

Do we really have an interest in halting the migratory flow? If so, what should our foreign policy reflect to get us there?

De shot call today.

Offline Flex

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18062
  • A Trini 4 Real.
    • View Profile
    • Soca Warriors Online
Re: Venezuelans and T&T Thread
« Reply #89 on: March 15, 2019, 04:14:06 AM »
Young on V’zlan influx: Many jobs on offer in T&T
By Sean Douglas (Newsday).


MINISTER of National Security Stuart Young said this country has many jobs on offer, including new opportunities in the reconstruction of East Port of Spain, replying to Newsday’s query as to whether Venezuelan migrants were pushing T&T nationals out of jobs.

At yesterday’s post-Cabinet briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, Newsday asked if his recent promise to regularise Venezuelans to work for up to a year in T&T could create a labour market distortion by migrants exploited to work for far lower wages than locals.

Promising a Cabinet note next week on the registration of Venezuelans, Young addressed the alleged distortion of the labour market.

“Quite frankly, we'll deal with that as it comes.

“One of the reasons we want to do registration is to ensure that Venezuelans who are registered can work. It is to deal exactly with the exploitation, because now they will be covered, and don’t have to be fearful that they are not here lawfully. One of the ways people exploit them is to say, ‘You are not here legally and I’m going to call the authorities for you unless you do this,' or they are hiding because they want to do things under the table.”

Young said the registration process will deal with that, after which it will be an "open market" for labour.

“It continues to be speculation, because at this stage we do not have an accurate figure, and that’s what I want to deal with: an accurate figure of how many Venezuelans are really here.”

He reckoned the country has many jobs on offer.

“There continue to be jobs in the newspaper. You look every day on the Internet, etcetera, there are jobs available. There are workplaces that are calling out for labour.

“As the number of government projects starts to increase – you’ve heard the Minister of Housing (Edmund Dillon) here talk today about a massive project we’re going to do in east Port of Spain – there’s going to be an increase in the need for labour in the market.”

Young said the regularisation of Venezuelan migrants will be observed “as we go along.”

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

 

1]; } ?>