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Former Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has delivered a sharp political warning to the United National Congress (UNC) Government following the Democratic Party's major victories in the United States midterm elections, arguing that Trinidad and Tobago must reconsider the direction of its foreign policy and its relationship with Washington. In a strongly worded statement following Tuesday's November 3 elections, Rowley described the American results as a rejection of the political direction associated with President Donald Trump's administration and suggested that the outcome carried important lessons for Trinidad and Tobago. "The rampage in America has been decisively addressed by the American people," Rowley declared. He urged citizens to examine their country's own political decisions, particularly those involving the current administration's relationship with the United States. Rowley Questions UNC's Political Alignment The former Prime Minister accused the UNC of abandoning established diplomatic principles in pursuit of closer relations with Trump's administration. He recalled what he characterised as attacks by the UNC on Democratic leadership while the party was in Opposition, followed by expressions of support for the Republican administration after the UNC entered Government. Rowley accused the administration of associating itself with American policies he described as involving racism, military intimidation and cruelty. He argued that Trinidad and Tobago had compromised its diplomatic independence in the process. "Now that they have shredded our foreign policy in the hope of approval and favours from those who they chose to attach themselves to," he stated, questioning whether such decisions reflected the country's longstanding principles. Cuba and International Criminal Court Votes Under Scrutiny Rowley's criticism comes amid controversy over two recent decisions taken by Trinidad and Tobago at the United Nations. On October 28, Trinidad and Tobago voted against a resolution calling for an end to the United States' economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. The resolution was adopted by 130 votes in favour, 17 against and 25 abstentions. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar defended the Government's position, arguing that it reflected support for democracy, freedom and human rights in Cuba rather than support for the Cuban Government. Rowley, however, characterised the decision as an endorsement of collective punishment against the Cuban population. He also criticised Trinidad and Tobago's decision to abstain from voting on a United Nations resolution concerning the annual report of the International Criminal Court (ICC). That resolution was adopted on November 2, with 93 countries voting in favour, 13 against and 36 abstaining. The ICC holds particular historical significance for Trinidad and Tobago because former Prime Minister ANR Robinson played an important role in advancing the proposal for a permanent international criminal court. Rowley questioned why the Government would decline to support the resolution concerning an institution with such a significant connection to the country's diplomatic history. He also criticised what he described as the silence of the UNC's political partners in Tobago. Cambridge Analytica Allegations Resurface The former Prime Minister further revived longstanding controversy surrounding Cambridge Analytica and political campaigning in Trinidad and Tobago. He accused the UNC of facilitating activities associated with the political data company, claiming that the country's dignity and sovereignty had been compromised in pursuit of electoral victory. The allegations have been the subject of previous investigations and international reporting, including scrutiny of political data operations associated with Cambridge Analytica's parent company, SCL. The UNC has previously denied allegations of wrongdoing relating to Cambridge Analytica. Rowley's latest remarks represent a renewed political accusation and should not be interpreted as a judicial finding against the party. American Election Results Deliver Political Shift Rowley's statement followed a significant change in the balance of power in Washington. The Democratic Party secured control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the November 3 midterm elections, according to US election reporting. The results represent a major setback for Republicans and will create new political constraints for President Trump when the incoming Congress takes office. However, the midterm elections did not remove Trump from the presidency. His administration remains in office, while Democratic control of Congress will affect the legislative and political environment in which it operates. For Rowley, the significance of the election extends beyond the individual candidates who won or lost. He argued that the American results should also prompt reflection on those who supported and enabled the administration's policies. "What happened in America yesterday represent not just a rejection of a leader but more so the enablers who facilitate the destructive reign," he stated. 'Friends to All and Vassals of None' In concluding his statement, Rowley defended the foreign-policy approach pursued under his People's National Movement administration. He maintained that Trinidad and Tobago did not need to compromise its independence or principles to maintain productive relationships with American leaders. Instead, he argued that diplomatic relationships should be built on mutual respect, sovereignty, dignity and consistency. "What should be clear to us here is that we did not need to sell our souls to anyone in Washington to have friends in authority there," he said. He concluded by advocating the principle of maintaining international friendships without becoming politically subordinate to another country. "Friends to all and vassals of none." His remarks add another dimension to the growing national debate over Trinidad and Tobago's diplomatic direction, particularly as the political balance in Washington changes following the American midterm elections. The central question raised by his statement is whether Trinidad and Tobago's recent foreign-policy decisions reflect an independent national position or a deliberate effort to align more closely with the current American administration.
Former Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has delivered a sharp political warning to the United National Congress (UNC) Government following the Democratic Party's major victories in the United States midterm elections, arguing that Trinidad and Tobago must reconsider the direction of its foreign policy and its relationship with Washington.
In a strongly worded statement following Tuesday's November 3 elections, Rowley described the American results as a rejection of the political direction associated with President Donald Trump's administration and suggested that the outcome carried important lessons for Trinidad and Tobago.
"The rampage in America has been decisively addressed by the American people," Rowley declared.
He urged citizens to examine their country's own political decisions, particularly those involving the current administration's relationship with the United States.
Rowley Questions UNC's Political Alignment
The former Prime Minister accused the UNC of abandoning established diplomatic principles in pursuit of closer relations with Trump's administration.
He recalled what he characterised as attacks by the UNC on Democratic leadership while the party was in Opposition, followed by expressions of support for the Republican administration after the UNC entered Government.
Rowley accused the administration of associating itself with American policies he described as involving racism, military intimidation and cruelty.
He argued that Trinidad and Tobago had compromised its diplomatic independence in the process.
"Now that they have shredded our foreign policy in the hope of approval and favours from those who they chose to attach themselves to," he stated, questioning whether such decisions reflected the country's longstanding principles.
Cuba and International Criminal Court Votes Under Scrutiny
Rowley's criticism comes amid controversy over two recent decisions taken by Trinidad and Tobago at the United Nations.
On October 28, Trinidad and Tobago voted against a resolution calling for an end to the United States' economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba.
The resolution was adopted by 130 votes in favour, 17 against and 25 abstentions.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar defended the Government's position, arguing that it reflected support for democracy, freedom and human rights in Cuba rather than support for the Cuban Government.
Rowley, however, characterised the decision as an endorsement of collective punishment against the Cuban population.
He also criticised Trinidad and Tobago's decision to abstain from voting on a United Nations resolution concerning the annual report of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
That resolution was adopted on November 2, with 93 countries voting in favour, 13 against and 36 abstaining.
The ICC holds particular historical significance for Trinidad and Tobago because former Prime Minister ANR Robinson played an important role in advancing the proposal for a permanent international criminal court.
Rowley questioned why the Government would decline to support the resolution concerning an institution with such a significant connection to the country's diplomatic history.
He also criticised what he described as the silence of the UNC's political partners in Tobago.
Cambridge Analytica Allegations Resurface
The former Prime Minister further revived longstanding controversy surrounding Cambridge Analytica and political campaigning in Trinidad and Tobago.
He accused the UNC of facilitating activities associated with the political data company, claiming that the country's dignity and sovereignty had been compromised in pursuit of electoral victory.
The allegations have been the subject of previous investigations and international reporting, including scrutiny of political data operations associated with Cambridge Analytica's parent company, SCL.
The UNC has previously denied allegations of wrongdoing relating to Cambridge Analytica.
Rowley's latest remarks represent a renewed political accusation and should not be interpreted as a judicial finding against the party.
American Election Results Deliver Political Shift
Rowley's statement followed a significant change in the balance of power in Washington.
The Democratic Party secured control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the November 3 midterm elections, according to US election reporting.
The results represent a major setback for Republicans and will create new political constraints for President Trump when the incoming Congress takes office.
However, the midterm elections did not remove Trump from the presidency. His administration remains in office, while Democratic control of Congress will affect the legislative and political environment in which it operates.
For Rowley, the significance of the election extends beyond the individual candidates who won or lost.
He argued that the American results should also prompt reflection on those who supported and enabled the administration's policies.
"What happened in America yesterday represent not just a rejection of a leader but more so the enablers who facilitate the destructive reign," he stated.
'Friends to All and Vassals of None'
In concluding his statement, Rowley defended the foreign-policy approach pursued under his People's National Movement administration.
He maintained that Trinidad and Tobago did not need to compromise its independence or principles to maintain productive relationships with American leaders.
Instead, he argued that diplomatic relationships should be built on mutual respect, sovereignty, dignity and consistency.
"What should be clear to us here is that we did not need to sell our souls to anyone in Washington to have friends in authority there," he said.
He concluded by advocating the principle of maintaining international friendships without becoming politically subordinate to another country.
"Friends to all and vassals of none."
His remarks add another dimension to the growing national debate over Trinidad and Tobago's diplomatic direction, particularly as the political balance in Washington changes following the American midterm elections.
The central question raised by his statement is whether Trinidad and Tobago's recent foreign-policy decisions reflect an independent national position or a deliberate effort to align more closely with the current American administration.
News Desk is the editorial publishing account for Tringlobe Media News, covering breaking news, public affairs, entertainment, community developments and regional stories across Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and internationally.
