Caribbean must remain a zone of peace – PM Gaston Browne

Prime Minister Gaston Browne did not mince words when making his stance clear on the recent developments within the region.

Speaking at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting launch, PM Browne was adamant in saying that the region “should not be afraid to stand on the truth” despite being small and vulnerable countries.

PM Browne mentioned that escalating actions would have a grave impact on the Caribbean. He referenced the rise in inflation and the negative impact to shipping chains that the war in the Ukraine had on not only Antigua and Barbuda but the world as well.

This, he said would be the case, if Caribbean nations and the world does not stand up, and speak up when specific matters occur.

“The reality is, if as a result of the military buildup that we’ve seen in the southern Caribbean results in any form of armed conflict, there’s a small island states, especially the OECS countries, that will suffer disproportionately. That is because we are so vulnerable. Even the foods that we consume, they are imported from North America and if there’s any curtailment of shipping or airlift between the Caribbean region and the United States, I mean, the impact will be disproportional.

“You all will recall the impact of the war in Ukraine, in which prices increased as high as 10 percent. That was not really in our hemisphere. So, just imagine the impact if there should be any form of military action in this hemisphere and I’ll say to our Caribbean people that we must all coalesce and stand against any form of military action in this hemisphere. This hemisphere must remain a zone of peace.

PM Browne added that standing up for the well being of nations should not be misconstrued with “picking a side”.

“I want to make the point here too that as we stand firmly against any form of military intervention, we’re not getting involved in any geopolitical spat between any group of countries. We’re defending our own national interests, and it is not in our national interests for any form of military action to take place within this hemisphere because of the disproportionate impacts that will take place.

“If there are going to be consequences standing on the truth, let it be so but at the end of the day, history will absolve us and will remember us as a nation, a non-aligned nation that continues to call for peace, for justice, for love among humanity, and certainly to call out all of the inequities within the global system,” PM Browne declared.

Tensions have been one the rise in recent weeks between the US, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago over specific actions taken by the US.

While many in the CARICOM have condemned such actions, Caribbean nations like Trinidad and Tobago have welcomed them.