T&T questions re-election of Caricom Secretary General Barnett

Trinidad and Tobago has raised concerns over the re-election of Caricom Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett, saying it was excluded from the decision-making process.Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers told Guardian Media that while the Government has no personal issue with Dr Barnett, it is dissatisfied with the process used at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government held from February 24 to 27.

The Government has formally written to Caricom chairman and Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Terrance Drew, outlining its objections to the manner in which the reappointment of Carla Barnett was handled.In correspondence dated March 25, Sobers said T&T was neither included in discussions nor given the opportunity to participate in deliberations surrounding the Secretary-General’s second term.Sobers pointed specifically to Article 24, which outlines that the Secretary-General should be appointed by the Conference on the recommendation of the Community Council, for a term not exceeding five years, with any reappointment also requiring Conference approval.

According to the letter, the issue of Dr Barnett’s reappointment “was not placed on the Provisional Agenda” for the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, nor was it discussed during plenary sessions.Sobers said while discussions reportedly took place during a retreat of Heads of Government on February 26 in Nevis, T&T was among several countries excluded.“It is a matter of record that Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda and the Bahamas were not allowed to participate in this retreat. Consequently, Trinidad and Tobago was not privy to the deliberations on this matter,” the letter stated.

...T&T to cut Caricom funding

Asked if she was disappointed in the reappointment, Persad-Bissessar added, “Caricom has been failing for 52 years and will continue to fail for the next 52 years. Trinidad and Tobago is not going to continue funding Caricom at the current levels that we are ­providing.”

CARICOM has a budget of 20 million US...

T&T supplies CARICOM with 5 million US dollars.

The Express obtained a copy of the letter, in which Sobers pointed out to the Caricom chairman that Barnett’s proposed reappointment was not placed on the provisional agenda for the Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference and was also not discussed during the plenary sessions.Persad-Bissessar also made it clear that, while Trinidad and Tobago remained “vested” in the regional bloc, the country would no longer bind itself to the region’s political ideologies, foreign policy positions or security frameworks.Instead, she said T&T will craft its own foreign and security policies to defend its sovereignty as it sees fit.

The minister listed some of the annual payments made to major Caricom institutions:He reiterated that Trini­dad and Tobago was not involved in the process and insisted this country must be respected, as he outlined the allocations T&T contributed to Caricom and its entities, which equates to $127 million annually.

• Caricom Secretariat— $35.5 million

• Caricom Development Fund—$25 million

• Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency—$1.4 million

• Caricom IMPACS—$16.1 million

• Caribbean Examinations Council—$10.3 million

• CARPHA—$14 million

• Caribbean Industrial Research Institute—$23.3 million

• Caricom Competition Com­mission—$1.3 million.

T&T Express

T&T opts out of Caricom Cuba aid

...Chooses own relief path

Trinidad and Tobago is not joining CARICOM in sending humanitarian aid to Cuba. Instead, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers says T&T will act independently, in collaboration with agencies on the ground in Cuba. In response to questions from the Express yesterday, Sobers said T&T has been in communication with organizations in Cuba that are well known for their relief efforts.

He said T&T expressed its commitment and willingness to send relief supplies and requested a list of items needed to ensure there was no duplication. The minister said this country has always been responsive in sending aid to nations in need, and assistance will also be provided to the people of Cuba.

@sgtdjones

So she wants to opt out of CARICOM & CARICOM activities but wants a say in such activities? Why? She doesn't see it as important. She is too busy following orders from her puppet masters in Washington. What WE should NOT do is allow her to take Chairmanship as she has shown her lack of committment. Go sit in the corner time.

@michaelmax

You made certain allegations.

Can you provide the document proof?

@sgtdjones

Caricom Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett had totally ignored a letter sent by the then TTopposition leader complaining that Barbados government was involved in kidnapping a trini citizen....remember the incident? That citizen sued and won big time.

Henry Kissinger- “The word will go out to the nations of the world that it may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal."

@Narper

Dec 31, 2025, 6:51 PM

carisecl@caricom.org

Carla Natalie Barnett, PhD, CBE,

Secretary-General

 CARICOM

Railway Embankment

Turkeyen

Greater Georgetown

Guyana

Dear Dr Barnett,

I am writing to you based on reports about CARICOM and would appreciate a response

upon your reviewal of enclosed links to said articles.

Fri, Jan 2, 10:11 AM

to edson.joseph@ab.gov.ag

Dear Mr Joseph,

I cannot find an email to address my questions to your Prime Minister. Is it possible

you can forward the attachment to him, please.

Narps,

I remember Mr. Thomas's arrest in Barbados; the Barbados government and T&T government paid him handsomely for such an error.

I wrote to the chairman and secretary general of CARICOM with questions...and have not received an acknowledgement. Exactly what Kamla noted.

.....