There was no clear indication on the agenda that a decision to reappoint Dr Carla Barnett would take place at a retreat on the island of Nevis in February, according to correspondence shared by Caricom chairman Dr Terrance Drew.
He disclosed that Caricom Heads decided on the day of the retreat to deal with this matter.
The Caricom chairman and Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis issued a statement on Saturday in which he insisted that Trinidad and Tobago, and its Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers, were informed about the retreat and that Sobers, in making queries to Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett the night before the retreat, had indicated that he suffered from seasickness.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Sobers have objected to Barnett’s reappointment, saying it was in breach of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, as Trinidad and Tobago, as well as other nations —Antigua and Barbuda and The Bahamas—were not present at the retreat where the decision was taken.
Barnett’s initial five-year tenure was due to end in August, but she was reappointed in February at the retreat.
The Caricom chairman, in his statement, explained that, during the retreat, under the agenda item “Financing and Governance of the Community”, Heads decided to consider the reappointment of the Secretary-General and agreed to the reappointment as provided for under Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Article 24 states, “the Secretary-General shall be appointed by the Conference, on the recommendation of the Community Council, for a term not exceeding five years and may be reappointed by the Conference.”
Drew stated that the Secretary-General was not in the room during the discussion of this matter.
According to Drew’s statement, Heads of Government of Caricom met on April 10, 2026, to discuss the issues in relation to governance of the Community that had been raised by Trinidad and Tobago, especially including the reappointment of the Secretary-General of the Community.
He noted that neither Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar nor any representative from Trinidad and Tobago attended the meeting.
In a letter dated April 9, Sobers informed Drew that Trinidad and Tobago would decline to participate in this meeting and all Caricom meetings until Persad-Bissessar is furnished with all requested correspondence related to Barnett’s reappointment.
He also argued that the Secretary-General’s appointment was done in a surreptitious manner, adding that Trinidad and Tobago will not recognise Barnett as Secretary-General beyond August, when her term expires.
The Caricom chairman, in his April 11 statement, shared documents which he said were in keeping with the discussions among the Heads at the April 10 meeting and pertained to information related to communications with Member States in preparation for and during the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference, as well as discussions and decisions taken by Heads while meeting in retreat.
He also expressed hope that “internal mechanisms be used for addressing the challenges that arise from time to time, lest unfortunate and erroneous statements diminish the progress towards deepening the integration process for the benefit of the people of the Region”.
Drew stated that in preparation for the 50th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, which was held in St Kitts and Nevis from February 24 to 27, 2026, all Member States were duly informed of the official events, the draft agenda, and the programme of work indicating which agenda items were to be taken in plenary sessions, in caucus, and in a retreat of Heads only.
He said all offices of all Heads of Government were informed of the date and venue of the retreat via official correspondence prior to the meeting of the Conference and via communication during the meetings.
He stated that Persad-Bissessar departed St Kitts and Nevis on the evening of the first day of the Conference, February 25, before the retreat on February 26.
Persad-Bissessar was in St Kitts for three days. She arrived on February 23, addressed the opening ceremony on February 24. She also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 24. She held bilateral meetings on February 24 and 25, and departed on the evening of February 25.
The retreat was held on February 26 and the closing news conference and reception was on February 27.
The retreat
communication
The Caricom chairman shared the exchange of communication between Sobers and Barnett, as well as between Barnett and himself.
February 25 at 10.33 p.m.: Sobers called the Secretary-General on WhatsApp to enquire if he should attend the retreat in the absence of his Prime Minister. He was advised he could and that other Heads who had to leave may be represented by their Foreign Ministers. He indicated that he had a problem with seasickness, so he may not be able to attend. February 25 at 10.55 p.m.: The Chairman received the following WhatsApp messages from the Secretary-General: “Chairman. TT Foreign Minister Sobers called me to ask if he should come to retreat in the absence of his PM. I indicated that other Heads who have left may be represented by their FMs. He also indicated he gets seasick, so he’s not looking forward to the boat ride. So we may not have TT represented tomorrow.”
February 26 at 12.37 a.m.: Barnett messaged Sobers: “Minister, if the boat trip will cause nausea am sure the Chairman would understand if you chose not to come tomorrow.”
Drew stated Sobers did not subsequently indicate to the chairman or the Secretary-General that he would be willing and able to attend the retreat.
Sobers’ letter to Drew outlined attempts he made to seek clarification on whether he could attend the retreat.
The minister also shared a WhatsApp message from the Caricom Secretariat to foreign ministers on the morning of the retreat stating that only Heads were invited. He also explained to media that the remark he made about seasickness was in jest and he never indicated that he was unwilling to attend the Retreat.
The Caricom chairman stated that during the retreat, under the agenda item “Financing and Governance of the Community”, Heads decided to consider the reappointment of the Secretary-General and agreed to the reappointment as provided for under Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
He stated that a decision was also taken to delay the announcement so as to inform, as a matter of courtesy, the Heads who were not at the retreat before the official announcement was made.
“Attempts were made to reach the Heads who were absent to inform of the decision, but it was not possible to make contact with the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago by email or telephone call. After some efforts to reach the Prime Minister, the chairman was asked to speak with the Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Drew further provided a timeline of correspondence which set out official communication with Member States on the preparation for the 50th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, which was held in St Kitts and Nevis.
The Express examined that documentation which stated that the retreat was for “Caricom Heads of Government only”.
The document shared the itinerary including for the day of the retreat on February 26. It stated that at 10 a.m. there would be an official photo of Caricom Heads.
Further under “Heads Retreat” agenda items were—“Geopolitical issues” and “Financing and Governance of the Community”.
It also stated “Other issues as raised.”
