Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the “surreptitious and odious process” used regarding the reappointment of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Cara Barnett, could have long term effects for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
In a statement posted on her Facebook page, Persad-Bissessar said that she was again calling on the 15-member regional integration grouping “for transparency on the surreptitious and odious process used to reappoint” the Belizean-born economist for another five year term.
“Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to CARICOM, but until this matter is transparently resolved, the organization and its secretariat should absolutely expect no quarter from my Government.
“This is not a simple run-of-the-mill administrative appointment; it’s an appointment with long-term ramifications for my citizens. It’s an appointment that directly affects the future over the coming five years of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy, security, integration, and foreign affairs. Therefore in the interest of my citizens wellbeing I will mercilessly, relentlessly, and if needed, ruthlessly publicly prosecute this matter until transparency is achieved,” Persad-Bissessar wrote.
Late last month, in a brief statement, the CARICOM chairman and St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr Terrance Drew, said that Barnett had attained the “required majority” from among regional leaders regarding her re-appointment at last month’s CARICOM summit held in Basseterre.
However Trinidad and Tobago has insisted that it was “not invited” to the deliberations that led to Barnett’s re-appointment, with Port of Spain adding that Antigua and Barbuda and The Bahamas were also absent.
“I emphatically put on the record … that Trinidad and Tobago was not invited by email, telephone or in person to that meeting where that particular decision was made,” that country’s CARICOM and foreign affairs minister, Sean Sobers, told the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament last month.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, who left the Basseterre summit prior to the retreat of regional leaders on Nevis, said on March 25, Sobers wrote to Prime Minister Drew, “formally placing on record Trinidad and Tobago’s objection to the re-appointment of Dr. Carla Barnett as Secretary-General of CARICOM.
“Our concern is straightforward: the proposed re-appointment was not included on the provisional agenda for the Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in St. Kitts and Nevis, was not considered during plenary, and was reportedly addressed only during the Heads of Government Retreat…from which Trinidad and Tobago and other Member States were excluded through their authorised representatives.
“This raises serious concerns to the use of improper procedures to circumvent the process and facilitate Barnett’s reappointment,” Persad-Bissessar said, adding that “Trinidad and Tobago therefore maintains that the re-appointment was not undertaken in accordance with Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which requires formal consideration and appointment by the Conference”.
She said to ensure full transparency, further letters dated March 31, 2026, were sent to Prime Minister Drew and directly to the Secretary-General seeking clarification on the process followed.
“These letters requested details on when and how the matter was placed on draft agendas, what communications were issued to Member States, whether governments were informed following the Joint Communiqué and closing press conference, and whether any draft decision was circulated confidentially after the Retreat.
“They also sought an explanation for any confidentiality surrounding the matter, given the importance of preserving Member State confidence in CARICOM’s Rules of Procedure and collective decision-making.”
Persad-Bissessar said further, on March 31, 2026, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs wrote to Janice Miller, Chef-de-Cabinet, Office of the Secretary-General, “formally requesting clarification and documentation regarding the re-appointment of the CARICOM Secretary-General.
“The letter noted that previous re-appointments, such as in 2016, adhered to proper procedures, with decisions recorded and reflecting the views of all Heads of Government. The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the current process appears not to have conformed to CARICOM’s Rules of Procedure.
“To date, no response has been received. The people of Trinidad and Tobago who finance 22 per cent of CARICOM’s budget deserve transparency, accountability, and faithful adherence to agreed rules,” Persad-Bissessar added.
Barnett became the eighth CARICOM Secretary General on August 15, 2021, by “unanimous appointment” of the regional leaders. (CMC)
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