Persad-Bissessar Says Opposition Voices Marginalized Within CARICOM
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Monday that opposition figures across the Caribbean are being sidelined within regional structures, arguing that the Caribbean Community must represent all citizens — not just governing parties.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 50th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, Persad-Bissessar drew on her own experience as a former opposition leader, saying she once wrote to the CARICOM Secretariat in 2022 seeking answers about the treatment of a Trinidad and Tobago citizen in another member state and never received a response.
She questioned whether someone “ceases to be recognized by the Secretariat as a member citizen of CARICOM when not in government,” suggesting that political status should not determine whether concerns are acknowledged.
“CARICOM should be the voice for all,” she said, “not just for the governing parties.”
Persad-Bissessar reminded leaders that political fortunes change, noting that all current heads of government will at some point find themselves in opposition.
She argued that the regional body must not be used to “benefit or protect political parties and friends affiliated with the incumbent government,” warning that such perceptions undermine trust and unity within the 15-member bloc.
Her remarks added a pointed political dimension to the summit’s theme, “Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving Sustainable CARICOM,” as leaders prepare for closed-door discussions on regional security, economic resilience and geopolitical tensions.
The meeting continues through Thursday in St. Kitts and Nevis.
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This Trinidad prime minister hits the nail on the he head, I have written to question why Marco Rubio could sit in a caricom national security council meeting and even provokingly chairing and making decrees to our Caribbean prime ministers which equates to Trump been given instructions by a foreign nation . My polemics is that all opposition leaders should be afforded this opportunity to attend these functions so we could have a continuum in articulated policy, or else it destabilizes future government policy making which is inventing the wheel over and over which is costing the tax payers. I hope this idea by myself and bissesa is not taken as the regular talk shop performative politics. And I dare say that African leaders could have been invited.
Well said P.M KAMLA PERSAUD-BISSESSAR.CARICOM needs to address the abuse of SNAP ELECTIONS in BARBADOS by the MOTTLEY administration .The constitution allows for 5 years term with 90 days extension .There should be a fixed date set for GENERAL ELECTIONS in BARBADOS similar to the UNITED STATES of AMERICA and also 2 terms limit for the PRIME MINISTER.
First term of government as Prime MINISTER MOTTLEY serve 3 years and 7 months, she had 1 year and 8 months to go to complete her first term, then she called a SNAP ELECTION and won the general elections. Second term MOTTLEY SERVE for 4 years then she called a SNAP ELECTION she had 1 year and 3 months to go before the GENERAL ELECTIONS. Therefore MOTTLEY so called 2 terms in office she served the people of BARBADOS 7 years and 7 months instead of 10 years and 6 months this includes the 90 days extension as per the constitution. Total abuse of snap election. It appears she has no STAMINA to serve the full five years term. Soon MOTTLEY will be calling snap elections every month.
A snap election is an election that is called earlier than the one that has been scheduled. Snap elections in parliamentary systems are often called to resolve a political impasse such as a hung parliament where no single political party has a majority of seats, when the incumbent prime minister is defeated in a motion of no confidence, to capitalize on an unusual electoral opportunity, or to decide a pressing issue.
There is no justification for the MOTTLEY administration to call a SNAP election in BARBADOS.MOTTLEY had all 30 seats in PARLIAMENT.I think the GOVERNMENT of BARBADOS is operating on a DISPENSATION for 2 years and 11 months. Do the maths failing to serve the full two terms of 10 years and 6 months including 90 days extension as per the constitution, the government only serve 7 years and 7 months. A mandate was given by the ELECTORATE to serve for a period of 5 years with an extension of 90 days per term if needed.
To Mia Mottley and Gaston Brown, PLEASE NOTE: With the fall of VENEZUELA, the ousted 6 star general Ralph Gonsalves of ST. VINCENT, with IRAN and CUBA are soon next to fall, there is no place for having DESPOTS, OPPRESSORS, and DICTATORS in this WESTERN CIVILISED HEMISPHERE.
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