Posted by Enrique lgnacio
THE ORIGINAL PNM DIEHARDS.
Big Ship, Small Island, and a Sovereignty on Sale
So apparently, the US Navy coming to the Caribbean is to protect “law-abiding citizens.” Well thank heavens! I was just saying the other day, “Boy, if only a US aircraft carrier could pass through Charlotte Street, we might finally get a lil’ peace and quiet.”
Let’s cut the nonsense. Washington didn’t sanction Venezuela because they vex about Maduro’s manners. They sanctioned Venezuela because Hugo Chávez had the unpardonable gall to say, “This oil belongs to Venezuelans.” Imagine the scandal! Oil money for schools and hospitals instead of Exxon’s shareholders? Heresy! For that, they starved the economy, locked out PDVSA, and called it “defending democracy.” Translation: wrong flag flying over the oil well.
And now look at sweet T&T—clapping like seals because US warships passing through “to fight cartels.” Meanwhile, half the guns killing our young men every weekend come straight from the same America that now promises to save us. The US is basically the arsonist volunteering to hold the fire hose.
Last year we had 623 murders—in a country where everybody know everybody cousin. Gangs like Sixx and Rasta City fighting turf wars, drugs flowing, corruption rotting the system. And what do our leaders do? Invite Uncle Sam to play policeman, as if a warship parked in the Gulf of Paria will make gangsters suddenly join CEPEP.
Then the cherry on top: the Prime Minister boldly declaring that if Maduro so much as sneezes in Guyana’s direction, Trinidad will “unflinchingly” give America access to our territory. Just so. No Parliament, no CARICOM, no consultation. Apparently, our sovereignty is now a drive-thru special—ask nice and get fries with it.
And CARICOM unity? Gone. “Every state for themselves,” they say. Which is rich, because small islands only survive by sticking together. Now we breaking ranks like a schoolboy selling out his partners for a sweetie.
So let’s call this what it is: not leadership, but client-ship. Venezuela was punished for keeping its oil. Trinidad is being patted on the head for giving away its dignity.
We’ll still wave the flag on Independence, sing the anthem, and beat our chest about sovereignty. But don’t fool yourself: we already subcontracted it out. The only independence left will be on the calendar.
And if that don’t make you laugh, it should at least make you cry.