Mickela Panday Writes Open Letter To P.M. Kamla Persad-Bissessar After Warning From Venezuela’s Justice Minister

Political Leader of the Patriotic Front, Mickela Panday, wrote an open letter today (Thursday 18th December, 2025) to Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, regarding a warning issued directly to the Prime Minister by Venezuela’s Minister of Interior and Justice, Diosdado Cabello.

Cabello, who has previously criticized Mrs. Persad-Bissessar for her support of the United States’ increased military presence in the Caribbean, appeared to address the Prime Minister directly during his weekly television programme last night (Wednesday 17th December, 2025), stating that if Venezuela was attacked, “you know what is going to happen.”

According to Mickela, “In light of recent developments and public remarks by Venezuela’s Justice Minister referencing Trinidad and Tobago, many citizens have reached out with understandable concerns about safety, preparedness and clear communication. This open letter is written respectfully to the Prime Minister, on behalf of those citizens, in the interest of reassurance, clarity and national calm.”

Below is her full open letter to Mrs. Persad-Bissessar:

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar,

I write to you with the respect I have always afforded you and on behalf of many concerned citizens who are seeking reassurance, clarity and confidence in the leadership of our country at this critical time.

Your assertion that Trinidad and Tobago is “not involved in the U.S. blockade against Venezuela” and that our nation is acting solely in its own security interests is noted. 

However, what continues to concern many citizens is not the repetition of assurances, but the absence of clear, credible explanations that acknowledge the wider regional and geopolitical realities now confronting our country.

Clear and timely communication matters. When information feels partial, delayed or overly defensive, public confidence begins to waver.

The issue before us is not the United States exercising its authority, but whether the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has been sufficiently clear with its own citizens about the nature, scope and implications of its cooperation with foreign military and security operations.

To date, the Government’s responses have appeared largely reactive rather than strategic. Statements are issued after concerns are raised and after regional tensions escalate. What the nation has not yet heard is whether there is a coherent, forward-looking plan to protect the people of Trinidad and Tobago should circumstances deteriorate.

Without asking for national security details, citizens are entitled to basic reassurance. If an attack were to occur, is there a plan in place to protect our people and critical infrastructure? Can the Prime Minister assure the nation that Trinidad and Tobago would be kept safe? And equally important, what is the plan to protect the nation when foreign military assets eventually leave?

Slogans such as “T&T first” cannot substitute for forthright leadership. National interest is not protected by minimising concerns or dismissing legitimate questions, but by addressing them directly and honestly.

Your Government cannot continue to treat accountability as optional or public concern as inconvenient. Foreign policy is not an abstract exercise, it has real implications for our economy, our security and our standing in the Caribbean.

Honourable Prime Minister, at this moment, what matters most is that the people of Trinidad and Tobago feel informed, protected and confident in the path ahead. Calm, clear communication builds trust and trust is essential as our nation navigates an increasingly complex regional environment.

Respectfully, 

Mickela Panday

Political Leader of the Patriotic Front

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