Photo: Caricom

The summit, hosted under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, marks five decades of regular high-level consultations since CARICOM’s formation and underscores the region’s continued push toward integration, economic resilience, and collective security.

Held under the theme “Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving, Sustainable CARICOM,” the February 24–27 meeting brings together heads of government, senior officials, and international partners to address urgent regional priorities including climate change, food security, transportation, crime, economic stability, and reparatory justice.

A key engagement scheduled for Wednesday is a meeting between CARICOM Heads of Government and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where discussions are expected to focus on regional security, migration, economic cooperation, and broader geopolitical developments affecting the Caribbean.

The opening ceremony, held at the Marriott Dome in Frigate Bay, featured addresses from CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, outgoing chair and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and current chair Dr. Drew, along with interventions from other regional leaders.

Attendance was notably high, with approximately 95 percent of CARICOM heads of government present, reflecting the importance attached to the milestone summit and the pressing issues facing the region.

In his address, Dr. Drew urged leaders to move beyond declarations and take meaningful action.

He warned that instability in neighbouring states could have far-reaching consequences across CARICOM, pointing specifically to humanitarian concerns in Cuba.

Dr. Drew stressed that CARICOM must respond collectively to humanitarian and geopolitical challenges to safeguard regional stability.

Crime and regional security also emerged as major concerns, particularly for Trinidad and Tobago, where Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar pointed to the severity of criminal activity in her country.

She expressed appreciation for international cooperation, including support from the United States.

Persad-Bissessar acknowledged that some Caribbean nations face different security realities but stressed the scale of Trinidad and Tobago’s challenges.

She also called for stronger political solidarity within CARICOM, raising concerns about perceived interference in member states’ domestic political processes and urging greater mutual respect among governments.