October 31, 2025
After accusing CARICOM of betraying Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says her government will move to significantly realign the country’s foreign policy, focusing on partnerships with nations outside the region.
Persad-Bissessar reiterated that she does not consider CARICOM a “reliable partner” and stated that over the next couple of years there will be a “significant realignment” of Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign policy.
“These changes are necessary for improving our economic and physical security,” the Prime Minister said.
When asked whether her administration would consider officially withdrawing Trinidad and Tobago from CARICOM, Persad-Bissessar responded, “That has not been considered.”
She explained that the realignment would involve building stronger ties and cooperation with countries beyond the Caribbean.
“We need to look for new partners in trade, investment, and security,” she said.
Asked if any CARICOM leaders had reached out since she expressed her feelings of betrayal, Persad-Bissessar said only, “I maintain cordial relations with all my CARICOM colleagues. Our prayers are with the people of Jamaica at this time. Today, we are continuing arrangements for relief supplies to be sent there.”
On Monday, during an interview on the Crime Watch programme, Persad-Bissessar commented on the lack of regional support for Trinidad and Tobago’s endorsement of United States naval operations in the Caribbean. She said, “CARICOM is proving to be an unreliable partner in some regards because they chose Venezuela over Trinidad. They chose Venezuela over Trinidad, and that is something we need to remember.”
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago recently reserved its position on a CARICOM statement reaffirming the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, a move that distinguished it from other member states that endorsed the declaration.
Trinidad and Tobago’s trade with CARICOM is dominated by the exchange of goods, and the country typically maintains a significant trade surplus with its regional partners. Its main exports to CARICOM countries include mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials such as petroleum products, as well as chemicals and related products like ammonia and petrochemicals. Manufactured goods, including iron and steel, along with food and beverages, also make up a large share of exports.
Trinidad and Tobago is a founding and active member of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), which aims to remove trade barriers and deepen economic integration. The country also plays a key role in regional institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF).
Source: (Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)
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