MSJ leader criticises Govt’s ‘dangerous’ US alignment

2026-03-30 - 03:54

Senior Reporter otto.carrington@guardian.co.tt Movement for Social Justice leader David Abdulah has launched a blistering attack on the foreign policy direction of the United National Congress Government, accusing it of undermining regional unity, abandoning long-standing diplomatic positions and “handing over” Trinidad and Tobago’s sovereignty to the United States. Speaking at a virtual media conference yesterday, Abdulah said the country’s stance on key international issues, from Caricom relations to Cuba and the Middle East, signals what he described as a “clear and dangerous shift” toward Washington’s geopolitical agenda. Abdulah strongly rejected recent Government criticism of Caricom, arguing that Trinidad and Tobago remains one of the biggest beneficiaries of the regional bloc. He dismissed claims that the country is over-contributing financially, pointing instead to trade data showing billions in returns. “Trinidad and Tobago enjoys a massive trade surplus with Caricom,” he said, citing figures from the Government’s own economic review. “We sell billions more to the region than we import. To attack Caricom in those circumstances is not just wrong, it is foolish.” Abdulah warned that weakening Caricom could directly threaten jobs, foreign exchange earnings and local industries dependent on regional markets. The MSJ leader also condemned Government’s recent stance on Cuba, particularly its decision to distance itself from international calls to end the decades-old US embargo. He described the move as a betrayal of more than 50 years of consistent Trinidad and Tobago foreign policy. “We are condemning outright the position taken by the Government,” Abdulah said. “This is stabbing Cuba in the back.” He pointed to Cuba’s long-standing support for the Caribbean, including medical assistance and scholarships for Trinidad and Tobago nationals. Abdulah further argued that the US blockade, formally known as the United States embargo against Cuba, has been widely condemned globally and continues to negatively impact the Cuban people. Turning to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Abdulah criticised Trinidad and Tobago’s reported alignment with US-led initiatives in the region, warning that the country risks being drawn into geopolitical conflicts far beyond its interests. “We are supposed to be non-aligned,” he said. “Instead, we are inserting ourselves into an illegal war.” He accused the United States and its allies of engaging in actions that violate international law and cautioned that such alliances could expose Trinidad and Tobago to unnecessary diplomatic and economic risks. Abdulah is now calling for urgent oversight by Parliament, urging that the Joint Select Committee on Foreign Affairs be convened publicly to examine Government decisions. He also warned that Trinidad and Tobago risks eroding its independent voice on the global stage. “We reject completely any foreign policy that undermines our sovereignty and reduces us to repeating the positions of others,” he said. The MSJ leader also announced a fundraising initiative to support Cuba with medical supplies and solar equipment, urging citizens to contribute as a show of regional solidarity.