In her first public address following a historic electoral triumph, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley has issued a compelling appeal for strengthened regional integration among Caribbean nations. Speaking from State House after securing an unprecedented third consecutive term with a perfect 30-0 parliamentary majority, Mottley emphasized that small island states cannot successfully operate in isolation within the current complex geopolitical landscape.
The Prime Minister articulated that the contemporary global environment necessitates collective action to safeguard Caribbean interests and ensure equitable treatment internationally. “If ever there was a time for the people of the Caribbean to walk together, it is now,” Mottley declared to assembled journalists. “None of us can operate in this geopolitical climate as individual sovereign nations without two essential elements: solidarity and reinforcement of the international rules-based system.”
Mottley positioned the international rules-based order as particularly vital for smaller nations, creating frameworks that enable fair treatment and recognition of their distinctive circumstances. She criticized prevailing approaches that impose uniform solutions regardless of context, stating that Caribbean nations frequently encounter “one-size-fits-all prescriptions” that inadequately address their realities. Such approaches, she argued, constrict the fiscal flexibility and policy autonomy necessary for effective governance.
Beyond theoretical concerns, Mottley addressed practical regional challenges, identifying crime as a significant transnational issue requiring cooperative solutions. While acknowledging Barbados experiences lower violent crime rates than some neighbors, she emphasized the problem’s regional character and the importance of shared strategies. The Prime Minister referenced existing collaborative frameworks including the Port of Spain Declaration and George-Bridge Declaration as instruments for developing collective security approaches while mitigating domestic political divisions.
This cooperative model, Mottley suggested, extends beyond security to encompass economic policy, social cohesion, and opportunity expansion. She specifically highlighted tax policy coordination as crucial for preventing destructive inter-regional competition that creates a “race to the bottom.”
The swearing-in ceremony witnessed attendance from regional dignitaries including Bahamian Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell, who congratulated Mottley and reaffirmed CARICOM’s centrality to regional foreign policy. Mitchell characterized Mottley as “a strong advocate of CARICOM unity” and expressed anticipation for continued collaboration.
With CARICOM leaders scheduled to convene within the forthcoming fortnight, Mottley confirmed Barbados would actively participate in advancing collective regional priorities, recognizing the multitude of challenges affecting Caribbean nations both individually and collectively.