In a pivotal address to the United Nations Security Council on January 5, Dr. Neil Parsan, Trinidad and Tobago’s Permanent Representative to the UN, articulated his nation’s balanced diplomatic stance toward both the United States and Venezuela during an emergency session. The meeting was convened following the dramatic January 3rd military operation where US forces apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores in Caracas, extraditing them to New York to face narcotics trafficking allegations, to which they entered pleas of not guilty.
Speaking as a representative of a Caribbean neighbor and a historical proponent of peaceful coexistence, Dr. Parsan acknowledged the gravity of recent developments. He expressed gratitude to the Security Council for its swift response while outlining Trinidad and Tobago’s nuanced position. The ambassador confirmed his government’s awareness of the US military intervention and reiterated commitment to US-led cooperative initiatives aimed at dismantling transnational criminal networks that plague regional security and stability.
However, Ambassador Parsan emphasized that Port of Spain’s cooperation with Washington does not diminish its equally vital relationship with Caracas. He explicitly stated Trinidad and Tobago’s dedication to maintaining a ‘constructive and respectful relationship with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,’ underscoring continued peaceful relations with the Venezuelan people. This diplomatic balancing act reflects the nation’s aspiration to collaborate with all partners toward a safer and more prosperous hemisphere.
The emergency session also featured a statement from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who expressed profound concern that the US military action disregarded established principles of international law. Guterres warned that this ‘grave’ action could establish a dangerous precedent for future inter-state relations, highlighting the broader implications of the event that triggered the council’s meeting.