A regional political analyst is brushing aside speculation that Trinidad and Tobago could withdraw from CARICOM, saying such claims are exaggerated and ignore economic reality.
Pollster and analyst Peter Wickham described suggestions of an exit as “misplaced” and “economically irrational,” arguing that Trinidad and Tobago benefits significantly from regional trade.
The debate intensified after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar criticized CARICOM as an unreliable partner following U.S. visa sanctions imposed on Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. Persad-Bissessar accused the bloc of distancing itself from Washington while aligning with Venezuela’s government.
Wickham said the comments should be seen as political rhetoric driven by diplomatic pressure rather than a shift in foreign policy. He pointed to Jamaica’s past review of its own CARICOM membership, which concluded that leaving the bloc would be unwise.
He added that while Port of Spain may continue to voice frustration with CARICOM’s foreign-policy stance, economic self-interest would keep Trinidad and Tobago firmly in the regional grouping, calling any departure “a self-inflicted wound no serious government could defend.”
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Wickham is right on this one.
Trinidad and Jamaica gets much more out of CARICOM than their smaller Eastern Caribbean partners in The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) is established by the Treaty of Chaguarama.
Antigua imports millions of sugary infused drinks among numerous unhealthy package foods.
We are burdened with their migrants and many of whom have social issues.
Should they leave it would be their lost and that’s why they would never leave.
.
Picture of a demon, a batty boy that married to a man makes me want to vomit. And Antigua government or Gaston is using our tax dollar to pay that creature, that is because Gaston is such a thief of public funds he would take it to pay even a rabbit or pig saying they have some imaginary service they provide, this peter Wickham is used to pull out the gay people on ALP side.