The global political environment in which we must wade is in flux; right is wrong, black is white and up is down.
Leaders of several countries are wavering on what their political and moral stands will be as expediency and survival appear to be the new compasses.
Developing countries like Barbados that are striving for the best ideals will be challenged to conform as they weigh the economic and other needs of their citizens in an environment that is fluid.
The global environment was already rocked with instability; however, the return of Donald Trump as the president of the United States of America has brought with it even greater uncertainty.
The war in Ukraine, a deadly conflict in Gaza that is decimating the civilian Palestinian population, the lingering effects of the pandemic, and tensions across Africa and Asia are all touch points of instability.
In the Americas, Venezuela, the region’s largest oil producer, remains in economic and political turmoil, while at the same time threatening the sovereignty of its neighbour and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member Guyana.
The state of affairs in another CARICOM member nation, Haiti, which is suffering from violence, political turmoil and economic collapse, unfortunately confirms the label of “failed state” that some have assigned to the French-speaking nation.
At home, credible and sustainable solutions are being sought for the high cost of living and increasing serious crime. In the mix also are rumours of a possible by-election or even a general election.
Though it is understandable that for many households there is a great deal of disinterest in geo-political developments or even local political shenanigans, many are still justifiably worried about the impact that global unrest will have on Barbados and its citizens.
It is not only regular folk who are contemplating the immediate fallout. The Government of Barbados is also bracing itself for the unknown.
Incoming US president Trump has signalled he intends to action many of the political promises he made on the campaign trail, as outrageous as some of them were to observers.
His plan to deport 20 million people, whom he claims are living in America illegally, has sparked widespread concern due to the potential for massive disruption and the unprecedented nature of such an action.
Trump’s team is beginning to realise that the deportation of millions of people requires significant cooperation from other countries. And, in an audacious move, the incoming administration is already seeking to bully its way with smaller regional nations such as The Bahamas, Grenada, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Panama.
There has been no official word from Barbados on whether an approach was made to the Mia Mottley administration to accept American deportees who were not originally from Barbados.
The island’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds has indicated that the government is seeking to protect the rights of Barbadians in the United States as unease grows. He conceded there was very little the island could do if a citizen was convicted of an offence in the US and deported here. However, Symmonds believes that with the threat of mass deportations hanging over the heads of Barbadians and others in the diaspora, some kind of pre-emptive action is necessary.
As Barbados TODAY reported, Symmonds said that although the government did not know what form the American mass deportations would take, it was necessary to prepare a response and assist the Barbadian community who will be “caught up in some of this drama that is likely to take place”.
Contact has already been made with the powerful American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to represent Barbadians who may face deportation to ensure they are treated fairly.
The utterances of the minister reflect confirmation of an environment of uncertainty. Barbados is not prepared to handle large numbers of deportees uprooted from the life they established in the US.
Social services, counselling, placement, and establishing familial connections will be necessary. All this will come at a cost and that has nothing to do with the disruption such a situation will present.
If there is one bright side to the re-entry of Trump to the White House, it is the fact that he is a transactional leader who is prone to change his mind about matters if there is some gain to be had for him.
The question is what does Barbados have that President Trump may want?
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