In a significant escalation of regional tensions, a high-ranking official from Antigua and Barbuda has anonymously urged citizens and businesses to boycott goods imported from Trinidad and Tobago. The call was a response to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s accusations against CARICOM and regional states, including Antigua and Barbuda, of aligning with the Maduro “narco-government.” The official dismissed the Prime Minister’s remarks as unfounded and offensive, stating they were an affront to Antigua and Barbuda’s democratic credentials and commitment to CARICOM’s Zone of Peace framework. The boycott could seriously impact T&T’s forex earnings and further intensify an already challenging economic situation. Antigua and Barbuda’s imports from T&T cover vital sectors, including auto parts, pharmaceuticals, poultry, food, beverages, and manufactured goods. The boycott could hit various sectors in Trinidad and Tobago, already under regional pressure, hard. The official appealed to other CARICOM states to join the boycott, presenting it as the only remaining way to enforce respect and regional solidarity. This warning has sparked calls for economic retaliation among T&T businesses and citizens, potentially damaging trade ties and T&T’s standing across the Caribbean.
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