Experts: Kamla wrong to back Guaido

Diplomats and political analysts have condemned the Opposition’s support of Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president.

Retired head of the public service Reginald Dumas said he was taken aback by the Opposition’s position in the wake of the ousting of President Nicolas Maduro.

“I am very surprised and disappointed with the position of the Opposition Leader and I do not think that this is in our best interest because just as we have taken sides, someone can interfere in our internal affairs and we won’t be able to open our mouths at that point,” Dumas told Newsday.

During her contribution to debate on a private members’ motion in the Parliament on Friday about the Prime Minister’s two-part Mind Your Business lecture, Persad-Bissessar described the Maduro administration as dictatorial and said it supported interim president Guaido.

Dumas said in openly supporting Guaido, Persad-Bissessar has departed from the traditional position of TT and Caricom, generally, of non-interference and non-intervention in the affairs of other countries.

Political scientist Derek Ramsamooj described Persad-Bissessar’s position as “myopic.”

“At best, it is a myopic position without a full understanding and appreciation of the consequences, not just to Venezuela but to Trinidad.”

He said the problem in Venezuela was much more complexed, “beyond individuals.

“And such a simplistic approach is not an appropriate statement by as political leader.”