“The UNC strongly disagrees with any attempt to tell the Official Opposition of Trinidad and Tobago how to process, investigate and further explain information which has been published and put into the public domain.”

That is how the Opposition responded to a statement issued by the US Embassy on Friday, in which the Embassy alluded to the party politicising a recent travel advisory issued to American citizens for certain parts of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Embassy was swift to distance itself, saying: “The Department’s Travel Advisories are apolitical in nature, and in no way reflect our relationship with any country or with any specific political party within a country.”

In a follow up response, the UNC said it was “fully aware” that US Travel Advisories are apolitical in nature, and in no way reflect the US’s relationship with any country or with any specific political party within a country.

It however added that it is notable that the Embassy did not declare that the UNC Press Release misquoted the Department of State in any way.

“To quote directly from their Travel Advisory, ‘Do not travel to Trinidad and Tobago due to restricted travel options put in place to prevent COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Trinidad and Tobago due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk’,” it said.

The party said as the official Opposition in Trinidad and Tobago, “it is of grave concern that our country has been added to the US’s “Level Four: Do Not Travel” list.”