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Trinidad and Tobago’s objection to the re-appointment of Dr. Carla Barnett as Secretary-General of CARICOM is no small matter for the regional integration grouping. There is clearly a communication vacuum existing. There have been differences over the past few years. This one should not be treated superficially. It just isn’t going away.
What currently appears inconsequential could at worst spell the end of the CARICOM experience. That isn’t a prediction, but the persistence of the alliance’s largest financial contributor is disquieting. The recurring complaint about the issue is getting louder. Is anyone still listening on the inside? Is there the feeling that this grouse will just fade away? That would be a mistake.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in an April 6 post on her Facebook page reiterated a call for answers on the “surreptitious and odious process used to reappoint CARICOM Secretary-General Barnett”.
The Trinidadian leader’s perspective is that it “is not a simple run-of-the-mill administrative appointment”; it’s an appointment with long-term ramifications for the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, and one that directly affects the future over the coming five years of the nation’s economy, security, integration, and foreign affairs.
Persad-Bissessar emphatically expresses that in the interest of her citizens’ wellbeing she will “mercilessly, relentlessly, and if needed, ruthlessly publicly prosecute this matter until transparency is achieved”.
Trinidad and Tobago is steadfast in that regard. CARICOM’s position is that the process was conducted in accordance with the rules. There will be a lot of convincing to do on either side. Resolution will apparently not be easily achieved.
On March 25, St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr Terrance Drew, who is currently the CARICOM chairman, released a brief statement confirming that “during the Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held on 24-27 February 2026 in St. Kitts and Nevis, the required majority of CARICOM Heads of Government agreed to the reappointment of Dr. Carla Barnett as Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community. Dr. Barnett’s second term of office will begin in August 2026”.
There was certainly no ambiguity in the Chairman’s terse declaration. There was a “required majority”. Period. Trinidad and Tobago’s contention, however, is that the then proposed re-appointment was not included on the provisional agenda for the Heads of Government meeting, was not considered during plenary, and was “reportedly addressed only during the Heads of Government Retreat, (boat ride to Nevis) from which Trinidad and Tobago and other Member States were excluded through their authorised representatives. This raises serious concerns to the use of improper procedures to circumvent the process and facilitate Barnett’s reappointment”.
Trinidad and Tobago is maintaining that the re-appointment was not undertaken in accordance with Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which requires formal consideration and appointment by the Conference.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said that to ensure full transparency, letters were sent to Prime Minister Drew and directly to the Secretary-General seeking clarification on the process followed. The letters, according to the T&T PM, requested details on “when and how the matter was placed on draft agendas, what communications were issued to Member States, whether governments were informed following the Joint Communiqué and closing press conference, and whether any draft decision was circulated confidentially after the Retreat”.
According to Persad-Bissessar, an explanation was sought in the missives for any confidentiality surrounding the matter, “given the importance of preserving Member State confidence in CARICOM’s Rules of Procedure and collective decision-making”.
Another letter was reportedly sent to H.E. Janice Miller, Chef-de-Cabinet, Office of the Secretary-General, formally requesting clarification and documentation regarding the re-appointment of the CARICOM Secretary-General. In that letter, it was noted that previous re-appointments, such as in 2016, adhered to proper procedures, with decisions recorded and reflecting the views of all Heads of Government.
Persad-Bissessar says that to date, no response has been received. She concluded her Facebook post by saying that “the people of Trinidad and Tobago who finance 22 percent of CARICOM’s budget deserve transparency, accountability, and faithful adherence to agreed rules”.
We at The Observer are of the belief that this disagreement should be dealt with in no uncertain terms, and with alacrity. CARICOM’s standing should not be on shaky ground because of a misunderstanding over a key re-appointment. The world is watching us.
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