The Challenges and Controversies of CARICOM

Editor: Since the establishment of CARICOM on July 4, 1973 by the big four Caribbean countries: Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, there is still much to be achieved.

After 53 years of existence, the goals and aspirations of the now 21 member countries to foster regional economic integration, and greater co-operation and collaboration amongst themselves remain an unsurmountable challenge.

Observation of the opening speeches of the recent, February 24, 2026 CARICOM meeting revealed the challenges and controversies confronting the union of CARICOM and its member countries. The very theme of the meeting itself, suggests and acknowledges that there is a dying need to move beyond dialogue and brilliant speeches, to deliver on the policies and decisions that emanate from this forum.

In their opening presentation, the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors of the hosts twin islands of St Kitts/Nevis, spoke of the need to move to action. The theme of the meeting, “Beyond Words to Action for a sustainable Caricom,” was further echoed and accentuated by CARICOM’s Secretary General, Carla Barnett of Belize. In her opening remarks, the secretary general advocated for greater collaboration and co-operation between member countries. These are the fundamental foundations on which the organization was initially formed and they still remain a challenge to overcome.

In his inaugural address Dr. Friday, the new Prime Minister of St. Vincent &The Grenadines, lamented that he was “frustrated,” in his own words, “by the trials and frustration of the past”. The SVG PM reminded the members of their ” inability to agree” on critical matters and reverberated his concern with “the slow pace of integration”. The call by Jamaican Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness to enhance regional co-operation and to strive for “economic opportunity” and competitiveness remain unattainable. This leaves us to believe that the internal bickering and indifferences amongst members infect the capacity and effectiveness of the organization to deliver on its goals.

On the issue of internal strife, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), took the opportunity in her remarks to chastise other CARICOM members.

Her tirade focused on a controversy in 2022 over a non-response to her inquiry regarding a ‘kidnapped’ T&T national in another CARICOM country. Additionally, her presentation sought to provide justification for her support of the Trump’s administration in the US efforts to outlaw narc-terrorism in the Caribbean. In so doing, she chastised members who may not have agreed with her foreign policy position and adamantly proclaimed that her country will always “put its national interest first”. Her very subtle way of throwing jabs at other member States and her emphatic declaration that she “will welcome” the US again, sent an angry signal to the Caricom membership.

Do not expect this controversy to untimely fade into oblivion. However, we can only hope that the dialogue and policy decisions of CARICOM will evolve into concrete actions and deliverables for the benefit of all Caribbean people.

B- Das