Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers has fired back at Dr Ralph Gonsalves, saying his reference to seasickness at the Caricom Summit in St Kitts and Nevis was said as a joke.
In a stunning allegation, former St Vincent and the Grenadines prime minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves claimed Sobers was not “disinvited” from the Nevis retreat, but instead declined to go to the February 26 event, citing seasickness.
This contradicts Government’s position that it was deliberately excluded from the vote to reappoint Dr Carla Barnett, after Caricom failed to recognise Sobers as head of T&T’s delegation, following Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s departure. As such, T&T could not participate in the election.
In response to Gonsalves’ allegations, Sobers yesterday said he was joking when told the trip to Nevis would be by boat.
“I made a joke about the modality of transportation but at no point in time, and I repeat, at no point in time did I say that I would not be willing or did not want to attend,” Sobers contended in an interview with Guardian Media.
Sobers said he, in fact, told the Caricom officials he had to attend the retreat as head of T&T’s delegation. However, he said he was told on the morning of the retreat that he would not be able to do so.
“We were told, no, we’re getting information, they want heads of government only, not heads of delegation.”
He added that he told the officials, “I am head of delegation, I want to attend. That is how it is. I’ve been designated as head of delegation. I have my instrument of full powers. I can attend. That was elucidated. They are the ones who then retorted by saying, no, the position is that it is for heads of government only.”
Guardian Media asked Sobers for the message he received however he declined to share it. However Guardian Media checked with a regional source and was later provided with the message sent to the ministers, which said, “Good morning Foreign Ministers. Chairman PM Drew has indicated that today will be a Heads only retreat. Notwithstanding any indication otherwise, he would like it to remain Heads only. He apologises for any inconvenience. Ministers should therefore remain for the Community Council Meeting to complete its work, including those agenda items from the Heads’ agenda which the Community Council is to consider and provide recommendations to Heads for adoption.”
Sobers said correspondence will be included in a letter he is preparing for Caricom chairman Terrence Drew. He assured the letter will also be shared with the media.
Sobers also confirmed that after three letters raising concerns about Dr Barnett’s reappointment, the Caricom chair has responded to Government. He declined to disclose the contents, but said his reply will address the issues raised.
However, he did share that Caricom did not dispute that Barnett’s reappointment was not on the agenda.
If Caricom allows a fresh election to take place, Guardian Media asked Sobers if T&T has its own choice for Secretary General.
“We don’t have a new horse in the race. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that it was not an agenda item and Caricom has not disputed that.”
On Wednesday, Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali made it clear he had no issue with the process used to reappoint Barnett and he expressed full confidence in her capabilities.
Guardian Media pointed that out to Sobers, who said, “President Ali, with all due respect to his excellency, that’s his opinion. Trinidad and Tobago, we are sovereign, just like Guyana is. And that’s why we have articulated our position on this and he has articulated his.”
Turning his attention to Ralph Gonsalves, Sobers said, “I am not one to ill-treat the elderly at all, but in this case I’ll make an exception.”
Claiming Gonsalves was partaking in mischief, Sobers said the former St Vincent and the Grenadines prime minister seems to have a problem with the United National Congress.
He categorically denied Gonsalves’ allegation that Persad-Bissessar only attended one meeting at the Caricom summit – the one where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in attendance.
“Total boldface lie! The Prime Minister was there at the opening ceremony of the Conference of Heads, which you all know because she spoke. The Prime Minister attended the plenary session the following day. She had the meetings with Secretary of State Rubio. She had meetings with the President of Guyana. She had meetings with Jamaica. She had meetings with Suriname. She had a pull aside meeting with Antigua and Barbuda.”
Sobers said Dr Gonsalves, who lost his country’s general election on November 27, 2025, is merely seeking relevance.
“He should be more concerned with respect to his HDC mortgage payments to Victoria Keys and trying to win more than one seat in St Vincent and the Grenadines. And instead of trying to utilise my good name to become relevant, as he’s currently irrelevant.”
