by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN) – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley joins other regional leaders who have decried sanctions on Venezuela.
Prime Minister Mottley says the sanctions impact Caribbean countries’ ability to counter rising fuel prices.
Under the past PetroCaribe deal, member countries could purchase oil from Venezuela at concessionary prices. However, in the face of action by the US, if they defy the sanctions in place, the deal no longer works in favour of the Caribbean.
The Barbados Prime Minister notes that US company Chevron and EU member countries continue to access this same oil. She lamented the actions, saying it “cannot be OK for some to trade with those who have sanctions and others to be precluded”.
During a Roundtable Talk on Reparations, Mottley suggested that the conversation on reparations must consider issues currently confronting countries, including debt, the impact of the pandemic and the climate crisis.
She says while noting that monetary compensation is essential, flexible policies are necessary, which is fundamentally what the Bridgetown Initiative is about.
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, says he believes some fundamental approaches need to be taken concerning reparations.
Former Jamaican Prime Minister PJ Patterson said there needs to be unity of purpose.
Meanwhile, the former Nigerian President wants one of the first issues of reparatory justice to be a shared Emancipation Day for CARICOM and the African Union.
