A regional political dispute has emerged within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) over the reappointment of current Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, with Belize standing firmly in support of her second term while Trinidad and Tobago has formally raised objections to the move.
Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca confirmed the unwavering stance of his government in a press briefing, acknowledging that Trinidad and Tobago has raised specific concerns that will need to be addressed through internal CARICOM processes, but emphasizing that Belize’s endorsement of Dr. Barnett remains unchanged.
Dr. Barnett’s current five-year term as the head of the CARICOM Secretariat is set to conclude in August 2026. While regional heads of government already discussed the reappointment during their most recent collective meeting, the formal vote and confirmation of her second term will not take place until the next scheduled CARICOM Heads of Government Conference set for July 2026. According to Fonseca, a majority of regional leaders have already signaled their verbal support for extending Barnett’s tenure, and the upcoming July meeting will only serve to formalize that broad backing.
Fonseca pushed back against suggestions that Trinidad and Tobago’s opposition amounts to a targeted attack on Belize, noting that the criticism has no connection to Barnett’s nationality or her individual performance in the role. He explained that the grievance held by Trinidad and Tobago’s current administration traces back to a 2022 incident, when a Trinidadian national was arrested as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. The Caribbean nation has held the CARICOM Secretariat accountable for its handling of that incident, and the current dispute over reappointment stems from that long-running tensions, not Barnett’s work.
In addition, Fonseca clarified the institutional role of the CARICOM Secretary-General to reporters, noting that while the position carries critical responsibility for informing regional policy and supporting member state leaders, all major collective decisions rest with the leaders of the organization’s member countries. “Secretaries-General play a critical role in informing and supporting leaders so that we are better positioned to make proper decisions,” he said.
As the region prepares for the formal reappointment vote in July, early indications suggest that Dr. Barnett retains the support of a large majority of CARICOM’s 15 member states, putting her on track to secure a second term despite the public opposition from Trinidad and Tobago.