标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister Sean Sobers has launched a formal condemnation against the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), alleging procedural violations in the reappointment of Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett. During a parliamentary address on Thursday, Minister Sobers characterized the process as ‘surreptitious’ and fundamentally damaging to the regional body’s integrity.

The controversy centers on claims that Trinidad and Tobago—CARICOM’s largest financial contributor—was systematically excluded from decision-making processes. Minister Sobers revealed that the nation provides approximately $127 million annually to various CARICOM institutions, representing 22% of the organization’s total budget. This substantial investment includes $35.5 million to the CARICOM Secretariat, $25 million to the Development Fund, and significant allocations to agencies including CARPHA ($14 million) and the Caribbean Examinations Council ($10.3 million).

According to Sobers, the first indication of Dr. Barnett’s reappointment came via telephone on March 24, despite the matter never appearing on official agendas during February’s 50th Regular Meeting in St. Kitts. The minister emphasized that neither the preliminary Community Council discussions nor the final Plenary Session included this critical decision, with subsequent communiqués and decision summaries similarly omitting any reference to the reappointment.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has aligned with her minister’s position, publicly declaring non-support for Barnett’s continued leadership and signaling intentions to reduce Trinidad and Tobago’s financial commitments to CARICOM. The government maintains that any decisions made without proper participation of all member states violate Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, rendering them ‘ultra vires’ or beyond legal authority.

Despite this confrontation, Minister Sobers reaffirmed Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to CARICOM’s revitalization, particularly emphasizing the importance of the regional market where Trinidad serves as both largest importer and exporter of goods. The government has called for emergency discussions during the upcoming July meeting in St. Lucia, demanding increased transparency and adherence to established protocols for all future decisions.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament witnessed a heated exchange between Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal and Opposition MP Stuart Young, culminating in mutual apologies after devolving into personal insults during official proceedings. The confrontation emerged during questioning about procurement practices at state-owned energy companies.

MP Young initiated the inquiry by demanding transparency regarding Phoenix Park Gas Processors Ltd’s alleged acquisition of medical imaging equipment, specifically a GE MRI machine and CT scanner. He pressed for details including the supplier identity, individual item costs, and procurement methodology. Minister Moonilal categorically denied any such procurement activities by PPGPL.

The exchange intensified when Young questioned whether PPGPL and National Gas Company (NGC) chairman Gerald Ramdeen had instructed staff to cancel orders from original manufacturer GE and redirect procurement to an inexperienced vendor. Moonilal’s dismissive response prompted Young to label him a “class clown,” triggering intervention from House Speaker Jagdeo Singh who mandated an apology.

The scrutiny extended to NGC’s executive appointments, particularly the hiring of vice-president of Finance Shiva Ramnarine. Minister Moonilal detailed a rigorous September 2025 recruitment process involving five candidates, emphasizing compliance with NGC’s employment policies. Young attempted to question Ramnarine’s professional history, suggesting previous terminations from Caribbean Airlines and Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago, but the Speaker ruled these inquiries irrelevant.

Further controversy arose regarding the Cabinet-appointed committee for reopening the Guaracara refinery. Moonilal disclosed that former energy minister Kevin Ramnarine chairs the committee, confirming that no members have received compensation to date. The minister clarified that Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Ltd would administer honoraria payments pending government and board approvals.

In a dramatic political development, Trinidad and Tobago’s parliamentary opposition has formally demanded the immediate dismissal of Defense Minister Wayne Sturge from both cabinet and government positions. The call comes amid explosive allegations connecting the minister and the ruling United National Congress (UNC) administration to recently assassinated businessman Danny Guerra.

Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales presented what he characterized as compelling evidence during a People’s National Movement (PNM) press conference in Port of Spain on Wednesday. Drawing extensively from law enforcement documents and investigative media reports predating Guerra’s death, Gonzales constructed a narrative of concerning associations between government officials and alleged criminal activities.

Guerra, a real estate developer and DG Homes proprietor, met his demise on March 13 when unidentified assailants ambushed him outside his Sangre Grande business establishment. His violent death occurred precisely two months after his January 2 release from preventive detention, where he had been held for nearly six weeks under a state of emergency order.

The previously issued preventive detention order outlined serious allegations against Guerra, identifying him as the leader of an organized criminal gang with purported involvement in arms trafficking, money laundering, and illegal quarrying operations. Most alarmingly, the document asserted the gang maintained access to ‘a cache of high-powered firearms’ and intended to ‘imminently execute the assassination of a Government minister’ while escalating attacks against rival factions in public spaces.

Gonzales specifically highlighted media reports suggesting Guerra had contributed approximately $20 million to the UNC’s electoral campaign, a financial injection allegedly instrumental in securing the crucial Toco/Sangre Grande constituency during last year’s election. The opposition whip further referenced visual evidence showing Minister Sturge socializing with Guerra during campaign events.

‘Wayne Sturge as Minister of Defence has access to confidential information relating to the security of Trinidad and Tobago,’ Gonzales asserted. ‘Based on these reports, he is an example of a fruit from a poison tree that benefited significantly from what appears to be criminal wrongdoing in the election campaign.’

The opposition contends that the minister’s alleged connections represent a severe national security threat that demands immediate prime ministerial intervention. The unfolding scandal raises profound questions about political financing, national security protocols, and the integrity of governmental institutions in the Caribbean nation.

A prominent Caribbean political analyst has sharply criticized the Trinidad and Tobago government’s rationale for opposing the reappointment of CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, labeling its reasoning as fundamentally flawed and jurisdictionally misplaced.

Political scientist Peter Wickham asserted that the Trinidadian government’s justification falls entirely outside the mandate of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). His comments follow the announcement by CARICOM Chairman and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew that a majority of heads of government had endorsed Dr. Barnett’s reappointment during last month’s regional summit.

Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar publicly declared her opposition to the reappointment, stating that “CARICOM has been failing for 52 years and will continue to fail for the next 52 years,” while threatening to reduce her country’s financial contributions to the regional body.

Wickham challenged the Prime Minister’s diplomatic approach, noting that her absence from the critical meeting where the decision was made undermined her authority to subsequently object to the outcome. He further argued that her treatment of regional partners demonstrated a concerning lack of respect for established CARICOM protocols.

The analyst specifically dismissed the Prime Minister’s cited justification—related to the extradition of firearms dealer Brent Thomas from Barbados—as entirely irrelevant to CARICOM’s Secretary-General appointment process. Wickham emphasized that such national security matters fall outside CARICOM’s jurisdiction and should not influence personnel decisions within the regional organization.

Warning of potential economic repercussions, Wickham highlighted Trinidad and Tobago’s dual role as both the largest contributor to and beneficiary of CARICOM arrangements. He cautioned that deteriorating relations could prompt other Caribbean nations to reconsider preferential trade agreements with Trinidad, potentially shifting their economic partnerships toward Latin American suppliers.

International relations expert Dr. Anthony Gonzales noted significant unanswered questions regarding the circumstances under which Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar departed the regional meeting, suggesting the public has received only partial information about the diplomatic incident.

The United States military has intensified its maritime counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean basin, with the latest lethal strike marking the 47th such engagement in the region. Conducted on March 25th under the authority of General Francis L. Donovan’s Joint Task Force Southern Spear, this operation resulted in the deaths of four individuals aboard a suspected trafficking vessel.

A significant diplomatic dispute has erupted within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) following Trinidad and Tobago’s formal protest against the reappointment process of Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett. Foreign Minister Sean Sobers has emphatically stated that his nation was entirely excluded from consultation procedures prior to Barnett’s reappointment, learning of the decision only after it was finalized.

Minister Sobers characterized the unilateral action as both ‘disrespectful and insulting,’ expressing profound disappointment that established diplomatic protocols were disregarded. The controversy emerged when CARICOM Chairman and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew announced that a ‘required majority’ of member states had approved Barnett’s second term during February meetings in St. Kitts.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has declared Trinidad and Tobago’s intention to reduce its substantial financial contribution to CARICOM, which currently constitutes 22% of the organization’s total budget. This financial leverage represents the largest single contribution among member states.

The political conflict has intensified domestically, with Minister Sobers launching sharp criticism against Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles for her support of the reappointment process. Sobers dismissed Beckles’ comments as ‘inane’ and indicative of her ‘continued pattern of supporting wrongdoing,’ while defending the government’s position as principled opposition to procedural violations.

Central to the dispute is the allegation that three CARICOM members—Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, and The Bahamas—were systematically excluded from critical discussions during the February retreat where Barnett’s reappointment was decided. Minister Sobers maintains this violates the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas governing CARICOM operations.

The government has framed its stance as a defense of democratic principles and transparent governance, vowing to pursue formal review mechanisms while reconsidering its financial commitments to the regional body.

In a significant development for Caribbean regional politics, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly opposed the reappointment of CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett while announcing substantial reductions in her nation’s financial contributions to the regional bloc. This decisive stance emerges amid growing tensions regarding CARICOM’s governance transparency and operational effectiveness.

The controversy centers on the reappointment process that occurred during February’s CARICOM meeting in St. Kitts, where a majority of member states approved Barnett’s second term beginning August 2026. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar explicitly rejected this decision, stating bluntly: ‘Caricom has been failing for 52 years and will continue to fail for the next 52 years.’

Financial implications form a critical component of this dispute. Trinidad and Tobago currently contributes approximately 22% of CARICOM’s annual budget—amounting to $4-5 million—under the organization’s funding formula that requires more developed economies to provide larger shares. The Prime Minister confirmed that these contributions would be substantially reduced, though specific figures remain undisclosed.

Foreign Minister Sean Sobers formally articulated the government’s objections in an official letter to CARICOM leadership, obtained by media sources. The correspondence highlights procedural irregularities, noting that Barnett’s reappointment was neither included on the provisional agenda nor discussed during plenary sessions. Particularly concerning was the exclusion of Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, and The Bahamas from critical retreat discussions where the reappointment was reportedly decided.

The diplomatic communication references Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, emphasizing that the Secretary-General’s appointment must follow proper channels through the Community Council and Conference. Minister Sobers maintained that while Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to CARICOM’s revitalization, the current process violated both the spirit and letter of established protocols.

Historical context reveals deeper tensions. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar had previously criticized CARICOM’s silence during the 2022 incident involving Trinidadian national Brent Thomas, who was allegedly kidnapped from Barbados using Regional Security System aircraft. The Prime Minister’s unanswered inquiries to the Secretariat during her tenure as opposition leader apparently fueled perceptions of institutional bias toward governing parties.

This development signals broader strategic shifts in Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign policy. The administration has clearly indicated it will no longer automatically align with CARICOM’s collective political ideologies, security frameworks, or foreign policy positions. Instead, the nation will pursue independent foreign and security policies prioritizing national sovereignty.

Concurrently, Trinidad and Tobago is expanding its international engagements beyond traditional regional boundaries. The government has applied for associate membership in Mercosur—the South American trade bloc—while joining a new hemispheric coalition focused on combating drug cartels and external threats. These moves, coupled with strengthened bilateral relations with the United States and attendance at the Shield of the Americas Summit, illustrate a deliberate diversification of diplomatic and economic partnerships.

The current impasse reflects fundamental questions about CARICOM’s relevance, governance transparency, and operational effectiveness. As one of the organization’s principal funders, Trinidad and Tobago’s reduced financial commitment and vocal criticism could prompt significant structural reevaluation within the regional body. How CARICOM addresses these challenges may determine its future viability in an evolving geopolitical landscape.