T&T Minister: CARICOM advocates for inclusion in Summit

Trinidad and Tobago is the latest country to speak out against the possibility of excluding countries from the XI Summit of the Americas to be held in Los Angeles, California in June.

The presence of leaders of CARICOM member states at the Ninth Summit, from June 6th to June 10th 2022, is uncertain given the indications that the United States, as host, may be poised to hold the event without inviting Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

On April 27th, US Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols described Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua’s attendance as “unlikely.”

According to Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Dr Amery Browne, CARICOM is of the position that it must continue to advocate at all levels for the inclusion of the governments of Cuba and Venezuela at the Summit of the Americas.

Minister Browne told Trinidad and Tobago’s Guardian Media that, “Trinidad and Tobago has been doing its part in that regard, led by Prime Minister Rowley, and we have raised this issue with US Special Advisor for the 9th Summit former Senator Chris Dodd and with a range of other contacts within the US system.”

“If upon issuance of the invitations to Heads of Government of our hemisphere, it emerges that the Governments of Cuba and Venezuela have been excluded, CARICOM Heads would then make further pronouncements on the matter. Our position is crystal clear that the best decision is to convene a Summit which is inclusive rather than exclusionary so that the family of nations of the Americas can sit at the table to discuss and work together on the key issues that confront all our people.”

CARICOM leaders are also against the possibility of an invitation being extended to Venezuelan coup leader Juan Guaidó.

Authorities of Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Mexico, Argentina as CELAC Pro tempore president, Venezuela, Cuba, Honduras and ALBA-TCP have made public statements denouncing plans to exclude the three countries, some saying they would scale back their participation or not attend at all if countries are not invited.

By Kawsachun News

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