The Prime Minister has strongly declared he will ensure the sovereignty of Trinidad and Tobago in the wake of remarks made by US Secretary of State Marc Rubio's statement about restricting US visas of government officials whose countries employ Cuban health-care workers.
Speaking at the ceremony marking the opening ceremony of the central block of the Port of Spain General Hospital, Dr Rowley said TT relied on specialists for its health-care delivery which over the years have come from India, the Philippines, Africa and mainly from Cuba.
“Out of the blue now, we have been called human traffickers because we hire technical people who we pay top dollar, equal to local rates. We are now being accused of taking part in a programme where people are being exploited. That’s somebody’s interpretation. Of course, there are local people here encouraging them to take away our US visas.
“I just came back from California, and if I never go back there again in my life, I will ensure that the sovereignty of TT is known to its people and respected by all.”
On February 25, Rubio said, "Today, we announce the expansion of an existing Cuba-related visa restriction policy that targets forced labour linked to the Cuban labour export programme.
"This expanded policy applies to current or former Cuban government officials, and other individuals, including foreign government officials, who are believed to be responsible for, or involved in, the Cuban labour export programme, particularly Cuba’s overseas medical missions."
Rubio has claimed that Cuba continued to profit from the forced labour of its workers and the regime’s abusive and coercive labour practices had been well documented.
Rowley said health, education and national security remained top priorities, and that meant revenue was essential. He said the country relied on oil and gas for this.
He took aim at detractors who he said were rejoicing at the difficulties TT was experiencing with the Dragon gas deal owing to tensions between the US and Venezuela, as the US is seeking to terminate all oil and natural gas licences with Venezuela that were approved by the former Joe Biden administration.
“Only today I’m looking at the newspapers and I’m seeing a Parliamentary colleague literally jumping up and down trying to convince the word that the Dragon gas project is finally being admitted by the government to have failed.
“I really want to think, when you go to a game and you want the team to win, what do you do? You cheer for the team, right? You give some mental support that today will be the day the runs will come. I am asking the rest of you to send some telepathic power to overcome this negative nonsense about the failure of the Dragon deal.”
He said the deal was a “marvellous surprise” to many people and reminded the gas within TT’s border was running out.
“What will happen to Pt Lisas where we now rely on the activities of Pt Lisas for our major revenue stream? What happens when the gas runs out. It won’t run out in eight years, it will be running out a
