Senior official calls Caricom’s threats ‘noise and smoke’

Santo Domingo.- “Noise and smoke” is what Dominican Republic sees in the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) threats to punish it in the heels of the Constitutional Court’s controversial ruling on nationality, since the country has yet to join that block.

Foreign Affairs deputy minister César Dargam yesterday said the country has only a free trade agreement with Caricom, and it’s a member of CARIFORUM, an organization linked to the Africa, Caribbean, Pacific group of nations (ACP).

"Many of these things we’re seeing on the international stage are noise and smoke, we saw how Dominican Republic was threatened to be taken before a meeting of Caricom where we would’ve been penalized. Neither Caricom’s meeting took place, nor was Dominican Republic punished," he said.

He said the country has been prudent and is aware of its international obligations, a position Dargam affirms will continue defending. "That’s why we say that maybe what we’re seeing with these statements is a smokescreen."