Senior Reporter
International relations expert Mwale Henry is cautioning the Government against escalating tensions within the Caribbean Community (Caricom), even as he acknowledges that concerns raised over the recent reappointment of Dr Carla Barnett are legitimate.
Henry was speaking on CNC3’s The Morning Brew programme yesterday, following the Government’s push for a special meeting of Caricom Heads of Government to challenge Barnett’s reappointment and the revelation that Trinidad and Tobago was allegedly “disinvited” from the voting process.
On Monday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar declared she would “ruthlessly” pursue the matter, while Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers confirmed this country will formally request a meeting of Caricom’s Community Council.
Henry yesterday said the Prime Minister’s criticisms about transparency and consultation within the regional body are valid.
“The Prime Minister is correct in terms of those criticisms, if she was not consulted or the matter was not placed on the agenda, those are serious systemic issues that need to be addressed,” he said.
However, he warned that how Trinidad and Tobago responds will be critical to maintaining regional cohesion.
Henry pointed to policy disagreements between this country and Caricom, particularly on issues such as the free movement of people and the regional economy, as possible contributors to the current impasse.
He suggested that Government’s decision to pause discussions on some Caricom initiatives may have created “a sense of conflict and inertia” within the bloc.
At the same time, Henry cautioned against what he described as an overly aggressive approach, particularly any suggestion of withholding financial contributions to the regional body.
“The off-ramp for Trinidad and Tobago cannot be threatening cutting off funding. Trinidad and Tobago contributes up to 22 per cent. That sounds like a form of Trumpism,” he said, drawing a comparison to the United Nations and funding tensions involving the United States.
Instead, he is advocating for a diplomatic resolution, suggesting that Caricom’s current leadership should engage Trinidad and Tobago and offer a pathway forward focused on reform.
Henry said such an “off-ramp” could include commitments to modernise Caricom’s governance systems and improve transparency in its decision-making processes, an outcome he believes would benefit both Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region.
He also stressed that while concerns over process are important, any renewed vote on the Secretary General position could still yield the same result.
“Are we saying Trinidad and Tobago has a superior vote? The outcome may become the same,” he noted, emphasising that Caricom operates on democratic principles, with each member state holding a single vote.
However, Henry said the controversy could present an opportunity for broader reform, including greater involvement of opposition voices across member states in regional decision-making.
Despite the tensions, he expressed confidence that Caricom leaders will work toward a resolution.
“Caricom has greater minds through its leadership; one would hope that engagement at that level provides a way forward,” he said.
