A coalition of former Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government has issued a joint statement urging a reduction in military escalation in the region, citing threats to peace, stability, and development. The signatories include prominent figures such as Kenny Anthony of Saint Lucia, Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda, and Bruce Golding of Jamaica, among others. The statement highlights concerns over the increased presence of nuclear vessels and aircraft in the Caribbean, warning that such actions could drag the region into conflicts not of its making. The leaders specifically addressed the escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, with the US deploying naval assets and conducting military exercises in Caribbean waters, while Venezuela has mobilized forces along its coastline in response. The former leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining the Caribbean as a zone of peace, upholding national sovereignty, and resolving disputes through diplomacy rather than force. They also referenced past US requests to station military assets in the region, which Caribbean states have historically resisted. Trinidad and Tobago’s former Prime Minister Keith Rowley endorsed the statement, criticizing current regional actions that deviate from long-standing principles of unity and diplomacy. His stance contrasts with that of current Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has supported US military deployments in the fight against drug cartels but denied formal involvement in operations against Venezuela.