PRIME Minister Dr. Keith Rowley appears to be clutching onto Nicolas Maduro even as several Latin American leaders distance themselves from the disputed Venezuelan president.
Rowley, whose political future may be tied to cross-border energy exploration, has remained indifferent to the worsening Venezuelan turmoil.
Trinidad and Tobago, nine miles away from the politically inflamed land, is playing coy while Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, Uruguay, Dominican Republic and other Latin countries take a firm stand against Maduro.
A diplomatic row has broken out between Maduro and leaders of these and other countries that are challenging the incumbent president’s claim of victory in the July 28 poll.
Rowley has kept mum while many Venezuelan migrants in T&T angrily protest Maduro’s insistence on holding onto power.
The Latin countries that cast doubt on the election result have called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of American States (OAS), of which T&T is a member.
Maduro, described by Chicago Tribune newspaper as a “totally corrupt leader,” has faced stern criticism in his South American backyard.
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric said the results “are hard to believe” and Venezuelan people and millions in exile “demand total transparency.”
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa said that “there is the danger of dictatorship” and attempts “to take hope away from millions of Venezuelans.”
Argentina’s President Javier Milieu stated: “Not even (Maduro) believes the electoral scam he is celebrating.”
Milieu added: “We do not recognise fraud; we call on the international community to unite to restore the rule of law in Venezuela.”
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele called the election “a fraud.”
Panama’s President Jose Raul Molino put diplomatic relations on hold “until a complete review of the voting records and computer system is carried out.”
Colombia Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo called for “a total vote count, its verification and independent audit to be carried out as soon as possible.”
Uruguay’s President Luis Lacalle Pou slammed: “It is an open secret. They were going to ‘win’ regardless of the actual results.’
Peru’s Foreign Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea condemned “the irregularities with the intention of fraud committed by the Venezuelan Government.”
Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arevalo expressed “many doubts” over the results.
The Costa Rican presidency rejected “the proclamation of Nicolas Maduro as president…”
The European Union has also spoken out.
The United States Secretary of State has termed Maduro the loser of the election.
Rowley has pegged T&T’s economic future on gas deals with Venezuela, the most recent of which was signed four days before the election.
The abundant Dragon, Cocuina-Manakin and Manatee fields are considered critical economic lifelines and a source of political bragging rights.
Caricom issued a tepid, centrist statement on the election.
St. Vincent’s and Dominica’s Prime Ministers Dr. Ralph Gonzales and Roosevelt Skerrit respectively broke away and warmly congratulated Maduro.
While T&T was once viewed as the diplomatic leader of the region, Rowley has declined to question Maduro’s defiant declaration of re-election.
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