The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has taken a firm stance in the ongoing CARICOM dispute, refusing to participate in regional discussions on the reappointment of Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett and raising concerns that could affect its role and financial commitment within the Community. Photo: File

They noted that they will also not recognise Barnett as Secretary-General after her current term expires in August.

In a letter dated April 9, 2026, addressed to the CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, Trinidad and Tobago made it clear that it would not attend any emergency meetings on the matter until it is provided with full documentation surrounding the process used to reappoint Barnett.

The correspondence, signed by Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers on behalf of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, described the process as “surreptitious, corrupted and flawed,” and confirmed that the country does not recognise Barnett’s reappointment. However, it will continue to recognise her authority until the end of her current term in August 2026.

That position translated into action on April 10, 2026, when Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders met virtually for a 25th Special Emergency Meeting to address the issue, without Trinidad and Tobago in attendance.

According to the official statement issued following the meeting, neither Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar nor any representative from Trinidad and Tobago participated in the discussions, despite the matter being raised at the highest level within the regional bloc.

The meeting formed part of wider regional efforts to address the controversy, with Prime Minister Drew confirming earlier that the talks—originally scheduled for April 7—were postponed to 2:00 p.m. on Friday due to the state funeral in Suriname of former president Chandrikapersad Santokhi.

Trinidad and Tobago had been pushing for such a meeting, insisting it was “deliberately uninvited” from the February 26 retreat in St. Kitts and Nevis, where the agreement on Barnett’s reappointment was reportedly reached. Minister Sobers had indicated that Port of Spain would challenge the decision and that fresh elections for the post could also be considered.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has repeatedly condemned what she described as a “surreptitious and odious process,” warning that it could have long-term implications for Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region, while calling for transparency from the 15-member grouping.

In response, Prime Minister Drew, in an April 8, 202,6 letter, urged her participation in the emergency meeting, stating that it would allow for full discussion of the issues. He also outlined that the reappointment was discussed during the February 24–27 CARICOM summit in Basseterre, specifically at a leaders’ retreat under agenda items related to geopolitical developments, financing and governance.

According to Drew, the decision to reappoint Barnett was taken in accordance with Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which provides that the Secretary-General is appointed by the Conference of Heads of Government and may be reappointed by that body. He noted that Barnett was not present during the discussions and that the announcement was delayed to inform absent leaders.

Drew also indicated that attempts were made to contact Persad-Bissessar following the meeting but were unsuccessful, adding that it was “unfortunate” that the matter had entered the public domain rather than being resolved internally.

CARICOM, in its post-meeting statement, maintained that all Member States had been properly informed of the February conference arrangements, including the draft agenda and programme of work, and that the retreat formed part of those scheduled activities.

The statement further noted that Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister departed St. Kitts and Nevis before the retreat, and that Foreign Minister Sobers had inquired about attending but later indicated he might not be able to do so.

However, on Sunday, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar escalated the matter, issuing a detailed public response in which she challenged CARICOM’s account and cited what she described as documentary evidence.

She argued that official records show that between January 19 and February 26, eight communications were sent to Trinidad and Tobago regarding arrangements for a CARICOM-branded shirt, including sizing and attire for the retreat, while no communication addressed the reappointment of the Secretary-General as an agenda item.

She further pointed to a WhatsApp message sent on the morning of February 26 stating: “Chairman PM Drew has indicated that today will be a Heads only retreat… he would like it to remain Heads only,” which she said was sent to foreign ministers, including Minister Sobers.

According to Persad-Bissessar, this message, along with a February 22 email outlining retreat arrangements, confirms that attendance was limited to Heads of Government only, contradicting claims that Trinidad and Tobago could have been represented.

She also questioned why critical documents have not been provided, including the minutes of the retreat, performance appraisals of the Secretary-General, and records of the 2021 appointment process, which CARICOM has said were followed.

Persad-Bissessar further accused regional officials of attempting to shift blame onto Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers and warned that her government would continue to respond publicly to what it views as misrepresentations.

The dispute has also brought renewed focus on the provisions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, particularly those governing leadership and decision-making within CARICOM.

Under Article 24, the Secretary-General is appointed by the Conference of Heads of Government, on the recommendation of the Community Council, for a term not exceeding five years and may be reappointed by the Conference. The treaty also establishes the Secretary-General as the Chief Executive Officer of the Community, responsible for implementing decisions and reporting to the Conference.

Additionally, Article 23 outlines the structure and independence of the Secretariat, stating that the Secretary-General and staff must act in the interest of the Community and must not take instructions from individual member states or external authorities.

“The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas states that “the Secretary-General shall be appointed by the Conference, on the recommendation of the Community Council… and may be reappointed by the Conference,” underscoring the role of regional leaders in the decision-making process”

The treaty also highlights the importance of participation and financial responsibility among member states. It provides that countries in arrears of their contributions for more than two years may lose their voting rights in Community organs, underscoring the link between governance, decision-making, and financial commitment.

Despite CARICOM’s call for disputes to be handled through internal mechanisms, the matter has now unfolded in the public domain, exposing deep divisions within the 15-member bloc.