CARICOM members are still discussing the possibility of boycotting the upcoming Summit of the Americas that is set to take place in Los Angeles, California, from June 6, according to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
The Trinidad Guardian said that at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Rowley said some regional leaders have raised the possibility of boycotting the event if Cuba and Venezuela are not invited, but no final decision has been taken yet.
“It is being discussed and it has been discussed. Before I came here, there was a Caricom heads meeting at midday and we discussed this matter and we are still discussing it. People have different views and we are trying to come to a consensus position because we would love to have a Caricom position but sometimes it’s difficult for all of us to see eye-to-eye on everything all the time,” Dr Rowley said.
The Prime Minister said the position of the Trinidad and Tobago government is that all countries within the Americas—from Canada to Chile—should be invited, the Guardian reported.
“Our position is that it should be all-inclusive. It shouldn’t be exclusive, where you pick and choose who comes to the summit because the Americas is all of us, even though we have different styles of government or our circumstances may be different, it is inclusivity that will allow us to work together…that position isn’t shared by all…and we are currently trying to see how many persons we can get together on that,” he said.
“Cuba has its difficulties with the United States with its sanctions…Venezuela…Nicaragua…If the host country is saying you are not going to be part of it, we are saying that’s not the right way.”
On April 27, US Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols described Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua’s attendance at the Californian summit as “unlikely.”
Georgetown has thus far said nothing on its position if countries are excluded from the summit.
On its Facebook page yesterday, the Office of the President merely reported that Ali had attended the CARICOM meeting.
It said that Ali attended a Special Emergency Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government virtually from the Office of the President on the upcoming Ninth Summit of the Americas to be held in June, in Los Angeles, California.
In recent days the leaders of Bolivia and Mexico said they will not attend the summit if other countries are excluded. It has also been suggested that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro would also not attend. The theme of the 2022 Summit of Americas is Building a Sustainable, Resilient and Equitable Future.
