Trinidad PM Escalates Feud with Caribbean Neighbors Over US Policy
Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has intensified a bitter dispute with fellow Caribbean nations, demanding the exit of CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett once her term concludes in August. This move marks a significant escalation in regional tensions over US policy toward international drug trafficking and Venezuela.
Background of the Regional Conflict
The conflict among CARICOM members, a 15-nation regional trade bloc, erupted late last year when governments condemned US military actions in the South Caribbean. These actions included an unusually large American force buildup near Venezuela, aimed at capturing then-President Nicolás Maduro. While neighbors advocated for the Caribbean to remain a zone of peace, Persad-Bissessar dismissed this as zone of peace fakery, openly supporting US military strikes and the Trump administration's broader campaign against drug trafficking and organized crime.
Prime Minister's Campaign Against CARICOM
Since winning Trinidad's general election a year ago, Persad-Bissessar has leveraged her position to push for Barnett's removal. She has highlighted that Trinidad contributes approximately 22% of CARICOM's annual budget, around $20 million, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the bloc's operations. In a statement from late 2025, she criticized CARICOM for aligning with Venezuela and Maduro, stating, Caricom has chosen to support the Maduro narco-government through the fake zone of peace narrative. This came as the US prepared actions against Maduro and governments protested alleged illegal deadly boat strikes.
Implications and Emergency Meeting
Persad-Bissessar's months-long campaign against CARICOM and its leadership forced an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss Barnett's reappointment. The prime minister's stance underscores a broader divide in the region over foreign policy and security priorities, with Trinidad taking a pro-US stance while others advocate for neutrality and peace.
