A severe political controversy has erupted within CARICOM following inflammatory statements by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar that threaten regional solidarity. The diplomatic crisis began when Persad-Bissessar falsely attributed recently announced US visa restrictions on Antiguans, Barbudans, and Dominicans to “bad mouthing” of America by Caribbean leaders—a claim thoroughly debunked by Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Ambassador Sir Ronald Sanders, who confirmed the issue resulted from routine administrative misunderstandings promptly resolved through diplomatic channels.
Rather than retracting her baseless allegations, Persad-Bissessar escalated her rhetoric dramatically, declaring CARICOM “unreliable,” predicting its “implosion,” and outrageously accusing the regional bloc of aligning with a “Maduro narco government.” This diplomatic arson occurs despite Trinidad and Tobago being the primary beneficiary of CARICOM economic arrangements, particularly the Common External Tariff (CET) established under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Economic analysis reveals the staggering scale of Trinidad’s advantage: in 2024 alone, CARICOM consumers and governments forfeited approximately US$142.7 million in revenue through the CET, effectively paying premium prices for Trinidadian manufactured goods including beverages, processed foods, and cement—often when cheaper alternatives were available from the United States, Europe, or within CARICOM itself from Jamaica and other member states.
The Prime Minister’s dangerous rhetoric coincides with concerning domestic challenges, including depleted oil and gas reserves, a crime epidemic, and systematic marginalization of the nation’s Black population. Most alarmingly, her attempts to exploit Venezuelan resources and peddle false narratives risk making Trinidad and Tobago a target in unlawful warfare scenarios.
Regional analysts warn that should CARICOM members respond rationally to cost-of-living crises by relaxing CET restrictions and sourcing goods from beyond Trinidad, the nation’s already struggling economy would face catastrophic consequences. Persad-Bissessar’s actions represent not merely irresponsible leadership but potentially suicidal foreign policy that threatens both regional stability and her nation’s economic security.
The situation evokes tragic historical parallels, with observers noting similarities to the economic dependency depicted in the Mighty Sparrow’s “Jean and Dinah,” where Trinidadian prosperity became perilously tied to external forces. Caribbean leaders across the region are now calling for sober diplomatic engagement to preserve CARICOM unity and ensure a prosperous, wisely engaged future for all member states.