Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly accused the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) of operating through a corrupt and secretive system that harms the people of the region. She alleges that a statement issued by CARICOM’s Chairman Terrance Drew on April 11, 2026, was actually written by Secretary-General Carla Barnett, and was intended to dismiss Trinidad and Tobago’s concerns about Barnett’s reappointment.
In a pointed accusation, Persad-Bissessar claimed that on the morning of February 26, 2026, a WhatsApp message was sent to all CARICOM foreign ministers. Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister, Sean Sobers, reportedly saw the message, which remains visible to the group. However, Carla Barnett has allegedly failed to publicly address the message or its contents.
The Prime Minister further accused members of the CARICOM Secretariat and foreign ministers of staying silent while Sobers’ credibility was questioned. This, she says, is indicative of a dysfunctional, dishonest, and incompetent leadership within the Secretariat. Persad-Bissessar also alleges that CARICOM appointments are influenced more by political favoritism and an ‘old boys club’ than by merit.
Persad-Bissessar noted that she is still waiting for documents she requested from Chairman Drew, including meeting minutes and performance appraisals tied to Barnett’s reappointment. Despite these issues, she reaffirmed that Trinidad and Tobago, which has invested billions into CARICOM over 52 years, has no intention of leaving the regional body. Instead, it aims to push for reforms to improve fairness, accountability, and management.
The Prime Minister concluded her statement by warning that the matter will continue to be publicly pursued until necessary reforms are achieved, stressing that CARICOM cannot continue operating in its current dysfunctional and self-destructive manner.
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