By OSWALD T. BROWMN
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 24, 2019 — A photograph of Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis and Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield in a “waiting area” apparently before the meeting of five leaders of Caribbean nations with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach on Friday, March 22, 2019, went viral on Facebook with a variety of negative comments suggesting that the Prime Minister and the other leaders were disrespected by President Trump.
Some of the comments were by “Facebook” friends that I always credited with being positive Social Media contributors, but they were quick to irresponsibly “jump on the bandwagon” in spewing invective insults and reaching downright disrespectful conclusions about what the photograph represented.
The photo under which their comments were posted, however, was severely cropped to project the Prime Minister in the “worst possible light” and make him appear to be less statesmanlike. This was not only grossly wrong, but it was more likely than not politically motivated mischief specifically aimed at denigrating the Prime Minister.
In addition to Prime Minister Dr. Minnis, other Caribbean leaders in the meeting included Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who was in the cropped photo; Allen Chastanet, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia; Danilo Medina Sánchez, President of the Dominican Republic; and Jovenel Moïse, President of the Republic of Haiti.
The Social Media Goup “Speak Up Bahamas” posted the entire photograph of all the leaders and the persons who accompanied them. They were all likewise seated in what appeared to be a waiting area prior to the meeting. Obviously, posting the entire photo would not have had the desired political effect the mischief-makers wanted their propaganda to accomplish so they decided to crop it in blatant attempt to mislead the Bahamian people.
The reasons why the Caribbean leaders were meeting with President Trump apparently did not matter to them. In an official statement prior to the meeting, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders noted that President Trump “looks forward to working with countries in the region to strengthen our security cooperation and counter China’s predatory economic practices.”
“The President will use this meeting as an opportunity to thank these countries for their support for peace and democracy in Venezuela,” Sanders said. “The United States remains a good friend to the Caribbean and seeks to build on a proud legacy as the region’s partner of choice.”
Following the meeting, according to published reports, Caribbean leaders said most of the talk centered around trade and investments and that the U.S. has committed to sending a representative from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to visit each of their nations.
On his Twitter page, according to the Jamaica Observer, Jamaica Prime Minister Holness stated, “Our first meeting as Caribbean leaders with US president…was promising, as we anticipate further discussions on energy, trade, security and issues to do with peace and stability within the region.”
Personally, I was fully supportive of Prime Minister Dr. Minnis’ participation in the Palm Beach meeting with President Trump. It was not only consistent with positions taken by The Bahamas at the Organization of American States (OAS), but it signaled to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) that the FNM administration will continue to act in the best interest of The Bahamas with regard to other CARICOM mandates such as the Free Movement of People and the Single Market and Economy.
What’s more, it makes absolutely no sense for The Bahamas to develop an antagonistic attitude in our diplomatic relations with the United States. More so than any other country in the Caribbean, The Bahamas MUST not only maintain friendly relations with the United States, but within reason, fully support U.S. policies in the region.
To be sure, more likely than not, if the United States makes it more difficult for Bahamians to travel to Florida, there would be massive demonstrations outside the House of Assembly on Bay Street by the hordes of Bahamians who habitually do most of their shopping at Sawgrass Millls and other malls in South Florida.
That’s another compelling indication of the close ties between The Bahamas and the United States.
