Trinidad and Tobago has reached the point where it must stand up in defence of its sovereignty, former foreign affairs minister Winston Dookeran said yesterday.

Dookeran said he agreed with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley taking a stance on the US’ proposed threat to penalise officials of governments using Cuban medics by revoking their visas. In response, the Prime Minister said on Monday that he would protect Trinidad and Tobago’s sovereignty even if it means never returning to the United States.

“We must stand up as a matter of principle regardless of the consequences...regardless of what the United States President might wish or expect us to do. I agree with the Prime Minister’s statement as a result,” Dookeran said in an interview with the Express.