Persad-Bissessar Rebukes Political Interference, Warns CARICOM Against Election Meddling
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivered a pointed rebuke to fellow Caribbean leaders Monday, warning that political interference in each other’s elections must stop if the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is to maintain unity and credibility.
Speaking at the opening of the 50th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, Persad-Bissessar said it was unacceptable for political figures from one member state to enter another to campaign during elections.
“If we are to help each other and cooperate, it cannot be that last week you sent your political persons — not technocrats — down to campaign,” she said, adding that no leader would want outside political actors interfering in their domestic affairs.
She warned that such actions fuel “unneeded factional divisions and private conflicts between regional leaders and political parties,” and undermine regional integration.
Persad-Bissessar stressed that CARICOM must remain neutral and not be used to advance partisan interests. She said the organization “should not be misused by anyone to benefit or protect political parties and friends affiliated with the incumbent government.”
In a broader appeal, she reminded leaders that political fortunes shift.
“All of us here… will all be in opposition once,” she said, urging respect for citizens regardless of party affiliation.
She also revisited a 2022 incident involving the removal of a Trinidad and Tobago citizen from another CARICOM state, saying she had written to the Secretariat seeking clarification but had not received a response.
Persad-Bissessar said CARICOM must be “the voice for all,” not only governing parties, and called for a reset in how regional solidarity is practiced.
Her remarks introduced a rare moment of tension at what was otherwise a ceremonial opening, underscoring deeper political sensitivities within the 15-member bloc.
The summit continues through Thursday, with leaders scheduled to address regional security, climate resilience, economic integration and foreign policy coordination.
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See why I tell you people must stop drinking rum? This drunken prime minister sent her minions into St. Lucia, Guyana, St. Vincent, and Barbados the other day and now have the gumption to talk about election interference?
This drunken prime minister allowed the US to use her country as a launchpad to remove another country’s leader and now talking about interference?
Woman, stop drinking rum!
What she is saying makes sense if it was to be acknowledge by all Caribbean prime ministers and opposition leaders, look how Roosevelt skerrit of Dominica is able to manipulate the Caribbean security forces to tear gas his people in Dominica! And Gaston brown can use the police and military to hold barbudans at gun point to wrestle the lands from the to sell to wealthy foreigners of a different ethnic extraction, It is because different Caribbean leaders base on friendship is in agreement to use the institution afforded for real war and invasion as we can see now is needed to protect our fishermen from the USA genocide, the killing of fishermen on their boats in Caribbean water, some a these boat are bank financed and tied to land security which will be loss by bank repossess and selling if people home, where is the Caribbean security forces? They only have strong to tear gas the citizens of different Caribbean countries into submission under corrupt dictator prime ministers.
What she is saying makes sense if it was to be acknowledge by all Caribbean prime ministers and opposition leaders, look how Roosevelt skerrit of Dominica is able to manipulate the Caribbean security forces to tear gas his people in Dominica! And Gaston brown can use the police and military to hold barbudans at gun point to wrestle the lands from them to sell to wealthy foreigners of a different ethnic extraction, It is because different Caribbean leaders base on friendship is in agreement to use the institution afforded for real war and invasion as we can see now is needed to protect our fishermen from the USA genocide, the killing of fishermen on their boats in Caribbean water, some a these boat are bank financed and tied to land security which will be loss by bank repossess and selling of people home, where is the Caribbean security forces? They only have strong to tear gas the citizens of different Caribbean countries into submission under corrupt dictator prime ministers.
@ Eldread, when did Caribbean security services tear gas people in Dominica? The tear gas incident that took place in Dominica involved the Dominican police not Caribbean security services. So stop with your lies.
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