Caricom hopes for peaceful transfer of power in United States
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — Chairman of the 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom), Dr Keith Rowley, the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, says the regional body is “deeply saddened and concerned at the unprecedented scenes that unfolded at the Capitol Building in Washington DC, during the certification of the votes of the presidential elections by the US Congress”.
In a statement yesterday, Rowley said that the storming of the US Congress was “a gross affront to democracy and the rule of law in a country which has been viewed as a leading light of representative governance the world over”.
“Caricom looks forward to the restoration of order and the continuation of the process of transfer of power in a peaceful manner.”
The Jamaican Government also expressed concern following the incident.
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, in a post on social media, said the Andrew Holness-led Administration is deeply concerned over “developments in Washington” which saw the storming of the US Capitol.
“We note with deep concern today’s developments in Washington DC,” Johnson Smith tweeted on Wednesday.
“We continue to follow the events and trust that there will be a prompt return to normalcy in this important neighbour and #democracy in the Western Hemisphere,” she said.
The US Capitol locked down Wednesday with lawmakers inside as violent clashes broke out between supporters of President Donald Trump and police.
During the unrest, four people were killed and over 50 arrested.
Early yesterday, in the aftermath of the mayhem, President Donald Trump promised that the transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden would be orderly, while vowing to continue to fight to better America.
“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20. I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted,” Trump said in a statement.
“While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to make America great again!”
Congress certified Biden as president-elect around 3:45 am yesterday.
The joint session to count votes was interrupted by protesters who stormed the Capitol, leading to a long delay.
