Boycott of the product and services from the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is in the pipeline as a result of comments made by the republic's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
The concerted effort to refuse any dealings with Trinidad and Tobago and its Prime Minister began last Monday following the devastation in Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia following an encounter with Tropical Storm Tomas.
Persad-Bissessar spoke to members of the media at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's after she returned from an aerial tour of areas affected by flooding and landslides in Tobago. Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she had to speak with her Cabinet colleagues and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley to discuss what further relief TT can be provided to the other Caribbean islands that have been badly hit. "We will have to look at ways we are able to assist but, if you recall my comments earlier this year, there must be some way that TT will also benefit."
A campaign to boycott Trinidad and Tobago products is now underway as a potential fallout creating "stormy conditions" between T&T and Caricom neighbours with an "eye" now focused on hitting the the oil rich republic where nature hasn't. This attack on the stronghold Trinidad and Tobago has on the region is expected to level the playing field and allow Mrs. Persad-Bissessar to see Trinidad is dependent on the region to buy its products and services.
The comments made by Persad-Bissessar has the leader of the Opposition Keith Rowley distancing himself from the remarks and any participation in activities where Trinidad should prosper at the distress of its neighbours who supports its economy.
Members of the region who took to Facebook, Twitter and through BlackBerry broadcast messages urged a boycott of Trinidad and Tobago products.
These comments follow an earlier comment by Mrs. Persad Bissessar while at Montego Bay, Jamaica in July to the media at the four-day Caricom Heads of Government summit.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar cautioned regional governments that Trinidad and Tobago does not operate like "an ATM card" while stating the oil-rich twin-island republic was not prepared to fund the regional security budget.
Rowley at the time had stood up against the PM and said the statement the Prime Minister made in Jamaica was an insult to Caricom leaders and could cost many Trinidad and Tobago citizens their jobs.
