CARICOM chairman says Trinidad did not attend emergency meeting on governance dispute

Terrance Drew, Chairman of the Caribbean Community, says Trinidad and Tobago did not attend a special emergency meeting convened to address governance concerns, including the reappointment of Carla Barnett.

In a statement following the Twenty-Fifth Special Emergency Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government held on April 10, Drew said neither Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar nor any representative from Trinidad and Tobago participated in the discussions.

The meeting was called to address governance issues raised by Trinidad and Tobago, particularly concerns surrounding Barnett’s reappointment.

Drew said CARICOM leaders also reviewed communications sent to member states ahead of the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government held in St. Kitts and Nevis from February 24 to 27, 2026.

According to the statement, all member states were informed of the official events, draft agenda, and program of work, including which matters would be discussed during plenary sessions, caucus meetings, and the leaders’ retreat.

The chairman said the offices of all heads of government acknowledged receipt of the official correspondence.

However, Persad-Bissessar departed St. Kitts and Nevis on the evening of February 25, prior to the leaders’ retreat scheduled for February 26.

The statement noted that later that night, Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister, Sean Sobers, contacted Barnett via WhatsApp to ask whether he should attend the retreat in the prime minister’s absence.

He was advised that foreign ministers could represent their countries when heads of government were unable to attend. However, Sobers reportedly indicated that seasickness could prevent him from making the boat trip to the retreat location.

According to the statement, Sobers did not subsequently confirm his attendance with either the chairman or the secretary-general.

During the retreat, heads of government considered the reappointment of Barnett under Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and agreed to extend her tenure. Drew said Barnett was not present during the discussion.

Leaders also agreed to delay the public announcement of the decision to allow time to inform leaders who were absent. However, attempts to contact Persad-Bissessar by phone and email were unsuccessful, the statement said, prompting efforts to instead reach Sobers.

In addition to the reappointment decision, leaders agreed to establish a subcommittee to review governance and financing of CARICOM institutions. The subcommittee will include Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, and Jamaica.

CARICOM leaders also discussed geopolitical developments, including issuing a statement following the community’s meeting with Marco Rubio.

Drew expressed hope that moving forward, member states would use internal mechanisms to address disputes to avoid what he described as “unfortunate and erroneous statements” that could undermine regional integration.

“It is hoped that as the Community moves forward, it will be possible to revert to the use of internal mechanisms for addressing the challenges that arise from time to time,” Drew said, emphasizing the importance of protecting progress toward deeper regional integration.