The Emperors have no clothes

In the Hans Christian Anderson’s tale about the ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ two swindlers schemed their way into getting the Emperor to believe that they had woven him magical clothes that the foolish could not see. He paraded around town with everyone pretending to see his fantastic new clothes. It took a little child to shout that he was wearing nothing at all and to get the people to accept that he was indeed wearing nothing at all. Some of our Caribbean leaders ‘pump’ themselves up and have succeeded in getting the populace to believe that it all starts and ends with them. Two recent events have revealed their nakedness. The November 27 elections in SVG when the people spoke in overwhelming numbers, and the invasion of Venezuela show that most of the ‘Emperors’ are naked. Even a united CARICOM is a small dot on the world map, nonetheless it is important as we involve ourselves in global politics that we maintain a united front and prevent others from playing us off against each other. There are certain realities we have to face. I am reminded recently of the adage that when elephants fight the grass gets trampled. But to this must be added that when elephants make love the grass also gets trampled.

But we are part of a global world and have to interact in that world. We really don’t have many cards to play as each power looks after its own interests. In December, 1972 our four independent Caribbean countries- Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Guyana established diplomatic relations with Cuba despite the US’s trade and diplomatic blockade. A brave move by the leaders Michael Manley, Eric Williams, Errol Barrow, and Forbes Burnham. But these are different times. There was no Trump then. That relationship has largely remained although the US Cuban-American Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, might do anything to continue to cut off Cuban relations with the Caribbean. We have seen it in their comments and attitude to the Cuban-Caribbean health ‘brigade’. The virtual silence of most Caribbean countries over the invasion of Venezuela has been criticised by many but the question is what must they do, or can they do in reaction to that situation? There is talk of the use of diplomatic relations but that is not the president’s thinking. He has reintroduced the 1823 Monroe Doctrine when President Monroe virtually declared that the Western Hemisphere was America’s sphere of influence and suggested European non-interference in this part of the world. Since then, the US has invaded Cuba, Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela and our neighbour Grenada. But the threat of taking over Greenland either by purchase or use of the military is being talked about. Greenland, a part of NATO, is not of the Western Hemisphere.

These are indeed different times from the 1972 era. The US President had issued an Executive Order authorising that the Department of Defence be renamed the Department of War. This says something indeed. But how can our small countries relate to all of this? Even in the US efforts are made to counter many of the policies and activities that appear to run contrary to the constitution. Does the President have the right to invade another country without the approval of Congress? But even more, does any country have the right to kidnap and remove from any other country the incumbent head of state?

These are rough times which became evident with the cancellation of flights following the removal of Maduro. A war between those countries would cripple the tourist industry on which most depend for developing their economies. The UN Security Council of which we were a member for a short period is completely useless when issues relating to the larger powers are being discussed. The use of the Veto, which only a few countries have, means that little can be done. The General Assembly likewise has little power- just look at the number of times, in fact every year, resolutions are introduced urging the removal of the US blockade against Cuba. This is however binding on no one.

Trinidad and Tobago got caught up more than anyone else in this dilemma. America claimed to be fighting drug trafficking which affects all of our countries. But despite their rhetoric to this effect the objectives seem to be control of the country’s oil. Many have raised the point that if there was so much concern about drug trafficking why was the former Honduran President pardoned even though he had been found guilty of supporting the cocaine trade to the US.

The question which I had earlier posed is one for a broader discussion. What can Caribbean countries do when their next door neighbour, the US, so to speak with all its wealth and military might, is barking around them? In fact, it has gone beyond barking to biting. But there is more to come. Despite the removal of its President the Venezuelan government remains intact. American control will have to involve putting military boots on the ground, a horrible scenario for the Caribbean and its call to be a Zone of Peace.

• Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian