Stuart Young, Trinidad and Tobago’s National Security Minister, is a man who seems ready for battle. His job is to ensure the safety and security of the twin-island republic and its citizens from all internal and external threats. It is a position that would keep most of us up at night, as the once oil-rich nation has been literally at war with itself for some time, seeking to arrest rampant crime and gruesome murders.
Today, Trinidad and Tobago, like every country around the world, has entered what is effectively World War III. But this war that has engulfed the globe pits us against a powerful and deadly unseen enemy, a virus.
Our neighbours took a decision, purportedly in the national interest, to close all ports of entry at midnight on March 22. Unfortunately, 33 of its nationals landed at Grantley Adams International Airport a few hours after the deadline, despite their valiant efforts to return home from their aborted bucket-list Dubai cruise.
As any good neighbour would do, Prime Minister Mia Mottley and her Cabinet offered the elderly Trinidadians refuge here. At the same time, appeals were made on behalf of the group to their own government to give them a chance to come home and undergo any COVID-19 testing or quarantine near their loved ones. “Well, who, tell we, do that?” as Paul Keens-Douglas would have retorted.
Last week, the youthful minister Young, full of sound and fury, shocked many with his broadside against Barbados, suggesting that our Government may have been tacitly colluding with Trinidadian citizens, no less, to breach its border during the lockdown.
Using such an inflammatory and accusatory word as “infiltrate” to describe Barbados’ humanitarian effort, one would have thought Prime Minister Mottley was teaming up with Yasin Abu Bakr for another attempt to remove the duly elected government in Port of Spain. Of course, it’s absurd. Likewise is the public stand taken by Young. Surely, there were other options open to the national security minister than the very public rebuke of CARICOM kith and kin. To what end was this attack?
Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship reaching into the depths of history. Vast numbers of Trinidadians and Tobagonians can trace the lineage to this country, so too a number of latter-day Bajans have Trini roots. Indeed, many Bajans would argue that Trinidad has benefitted more from the relationship than Barbados. They tend only to look at the island’s current corporate landscape. But history is history; mutual is mutual.
But back to the mouthy minister. We don’t know how much of this rubberised sabre-rattling is Young’s own attempt to raise his profile in the Keith Rowley cabinet or whether his angst with Barbados is an appeal to the political base in an election year. We don’t have the answer but we find his handling of the matter offensive to the spirit and practical application of regional integration among two of CARICOM’s founding members.
One must remind our Trinidadian friend, that when many in the region and around the world were closely monitoring the novel coronavirus’ rapid spread from Wuhan, China to parts of Europe and North America just two months ago, it was Trinidad and Tobago that went ahead with Carnival 2020, leaving its doors sprawling open to thousands to party with fun-loving folks. There was no social distancing, no quarantine, no temperature checks and no citizens were allowed to go and come – unless they had a rag, a flag or something liquid in their hands.
The minister for national security seems to bring his youthful legal appetite for confrontation and challenge to his ministerial role. But he may want to do a little brushing up on his international relations first; history, too. Dr Rowley, ever the diplomat, says the relationship between Port-of-Spain and Bridgetown is “as good as it has ever been”. He knows of what he speaks.
No less shrewd a politician is Prime Minister Mottley, who has remained loudly quiet throughout this whole saga. As chairman of CARICOM, she knows all in the region will be watching closely how she handles the callaloo-versus-coucou storm in a pot. We have no doubt she is taking note.
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Minister Young read the contents of the letter on national television to the population of Trinidad and Tobago. There was no accusation made about the GoB. Rather he asked that the government not allow its good offices be abused by the Trinbagonian nationals stuck there. And pray tell what has Carnival got to do with your baseless argument. You are clearly seeking to forment strife and do harm to the relationship between the GoB and GoTT.
Arrogance mixed with ignorance produces a bitter brew..
Mr.. young is the classic mimic man as described by his compatriot..V.S.Naipaul.
Its painful that modern politicians do not possess a cursory grasp of caribbean history and culture.
Its amazing how we criticize the U.S president daily..maybe be should focus more on the rantings of regional politicians.
There is absolutely no justification or excuse for Young’s behaviour..but again as Mark Anthony said he is an honourable gentleman..
I am proud of my PM. She handle it well..Thank you for your service to our 166..God Bless You
Trinidadians would like to sincerely apologize for the treatment given to Barbados. Most are extremely grateful for Barbados’ humanitarian efforts towards our nationals. In fact, they seemed to have been treated much better than those awaiting test results in Trinidad. So, thank you!
Trinidad and Tobago is rampant with racism and corruption. The government is disconnected from the public. The people are so disenchanted with all of the politicians, that they do not know what to do. Protesting would only get them in trouble while the politicians and their financiers would actually benefit. Stuart Young, known as “the minister of everything” in Trinidad is just one of the disappointments in government office. As a Trinidadian stuck in Florida during the COVID19 pandemic, I am actually safer and better off here than in Trinidad. Barbados, you may have your issues, but you did the right thing and I commend you for it. I apologise to you on behalf of my braindead government.
But I dint understand that, cant they returned and be quarantined for the allotted time .. I would imagine that if they had the virus it would of showed itself by now.. sigh.
well written
Diplomatic
A good neighbour to trinidadians
What a disgrace.
I am a Trini to the Bone and would like to apologize on behalf of the good citizens of Trinidad and Tobago for the disrespectful and embarrassing comments our PNM Minister of National Security, Stuart Young, uttered against the government of Barbados and by extension the Bajans.
The Minister does not speak for our people and we thank Barbados for their kind hospitality in caring for our countrymen. Thank You!
Not sure if I was to be amused by this editorial or it was to be taken seriously. I guess it all comes down to who is the reader and one’s appreciation of the views of others but I know other T&T nationals didn’t want the 33 but into the country either, after people were warned against globe-trotting in late February when they were no cases yet in T&T. Strange as it is, Carnival didn’t cause the Covid-19 cases…it was thebreturning nationals or imported cases.
I know however, at the end of the day, it’s not what you do but how you do it. Diplomacy and foreign relations should still mean the same thing any where.
How laid unfounded accusations at Barbados in no doubt offensive, but the way he is fighting to keep nations (voters) out of their own country is mind blowing-ly repulsive to me. Where should one haven be if they can’t go to their home? Why does young think he has a right to tell law abiding Trinidadians that they can’t return to they country, even if the borders are closed. Surely they have facilities where they could isolate returning citizens to ensure any infected returnees don’t spread the virus.
well written, I enjoyed reading and had a good laugh!
Forgive us for these scraps of the bottom of the empty barrel, we have which passes fir a govt in Trinidad.
Prime minister Mia Montley will talk the right time .She listen and observes then react. That’s a Leader.
Well according to WHO Trinidad and Tobago is currently second worldwide (click the link) in terms of preparedness to reopen. So clearly we’re doing something right. Mind your business and stay in 10th with your inability to manage imported cases
https://t.co/jtejyGtTm1?amp=1
I do apologize to and in the same breath thank Barbados for assisting our Trini nationals. I feel proud to call Bados my second home and will always choose your beautiful island as my number one vacation destination ❤️❤️
Sorry but he needs to go. Now there is the Venezuela scandal. It is shameful to be a trinbagonian about now.
To my friends in Barbados, thank you for taking care of our own although those people’s actions were irresponsible.
To Ocean2, my family miss you all so so much!!!