In a unified statement issued on Thursday, October 23, 2025, ten former leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), including former Guyana President Donald Ramotar, urged for a reduction in military activities in the Caribbean Sea. The leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining the region as a ‘zone of peace’ and called for the utilization of the U.S.-Caribbean Shiprider Agreement to combat drug trafficking, rather than resorting to military force. The statement, also endorsed by former Jamaican Prime Minister Percival Patterson, highlighted concerns over the potential for conflict and collateral damage arising from the current military buildup, which includes over 10,000 U.S. troops, numerous aircraft, and naval vessels deployed in the region. The former leaders stressed that Caribbean nations have historically avoided hosting military assets to prevent entanglement in external conflicts. They advocated for adherence to international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes, reaffirming their commitment to regional sovereignty and the rule of law. The statement comes amid ongoing tensions, including allegations that U.S. military actions in the Caribbean are aimed at regime change in Venezuela. The former CARICOM leaders reiterated their support for dialogue and negotiation as the means to resolve conflicts, in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Ramotar among 10 former CARICOM leaders urging military “pull back” from Caribbean
