Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced a major shift in Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign policy, citing a breakdown in trust with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The announcement, reported across several national newspapers including the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, Daily Express, and Newsday, follows mounting tensions over regional security, divergent positions on Venezuela, and U.S. military activity in the Southern Caribbean.
Speaking to the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, Persad-Bissessar stated, “These changes are necessary for improving our economic and physical security,” adding that CARICOM is no longer viewed as a “reliable partner.” She stressed that while withdrawal from CARICOM is not being considered, her administration will seek new international alliances focused on trade, investment, and security.
The Prime Minister’s remarks came after Trinidad and Tobago reserved its position on an October 18 Caricom communiqué reaffirming the Caribbean as a “Zone of Peace”—a stance that set it apart from other member states. According to the Daily Express, Persad-Bissessar defended her position, arguing that Trinidad and Tobago faces unique threats from drug trafficking, gang violence, and gunrunning.
“Trinidad and Tobago is definitely not a zone of peace,” she said, noting that other island nations do not experience the same level of violent crime.
Persad-Bissessar’s support for the United States’ deployment of military assets—including warships, fighter jets, bombers, and the USS Gerald Ford—has further strained regional relations. As reported by Newsday, a U.S. warship docked in Port of Spain on October 26 for joint military exercises with Trinidad and Tobago forces. The Prime Minister has backed the U.S. initiative as a necessary measure against narco-terrorism and human trafficking.
The Venezuelan government, which has denounced the U.S. military presence as a push for regime change, responded by suspending all energy agreements with Trinidad and Tobago. On October 28, Venezuela’s parliament moved to declare Persad-Bissessar “persona non grata”, a move she dismissed as inconsequential. She also stated that Trinidad and Tobago does not depend on Venezuelan gas, citing alternative projects in both energy and non-energy sectors.
The Prime Minister’s criticism of CARICOM stems in part from what she described as the bloc’s decision to “choose Venezuela over Trinidad.” This sentiment was echoed in her interview on the Crime Watch programme, where she lamented the lack of regional support for Trinidad and Tobago’s endorsement of U.S. naval assets.
CARICOM itself remains divided over Venezuela. In August, several member states, including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, participated in an ALBA-TCP summit expressing strong support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who they said was facing persecution from the United States.
Despite the diplomatic rift, Persad-Bissessar reiterated her commitment to humanitarian efforts within the region. All three newspapers noted her expression of solidarity with Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28. “Our prayers are with the people of Jamaica at this time,” she said, confirming that Trinidad and Tobago was coordinating relief supplies.
Trinidad and Tobago remains a founding member of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), with regional trade dominated by exports of petroleum products, petrochemicals, iron and steel, and food and beverages. However, the Prime Minister’s remarks signal a potential shift in the country’s long-standing regional engagement, as it seeks new global partnerships amid evolving geopolitical challenges.
I wonder what was achieved at dat alba summit ……….anything at all to boldly pronounce
who’s afraid of the big bad wolf
My dear lady. All I can say to you is beware of the FAFO down the line. Don’t expect solidarity from the Caribbean brethren when it comes. You are placing yourself on the wrong side of history.
There will be no American invasion of Venezuela. such an option is not popular in the US, the majority of caribbean governments are not in favor. The only Caricom country to openly back this idiotic move is Trinidad and Tobago and it is not a popular position in the twin Island. So when this is over Kamala will realise that she willing jumped into the wrong bed and drug problems in Trinidad still exist. The US will pull out and leave Kamla to her own created problems….she must also know that snitches can never be trusted. So let us see how this SNITCH can realign the foreign policy of Trinidad after showing the world who she is.
seems like someone got some empty promises and a cheque. Well my dear lady, if someone never cared about you before, then suddenly they wanna invade ur neighbor that you don’t like, so u side with them. What you have done by saying the caricom is not a reliable partner is directly undermining Caricom, at a time when great things are happening for the community. However when he is done with venezuela, they will continue on others until its a us against them thing. THis is why it is important for the people to understand who they are voting for. That is the saddest most pathetic thing i’ve ever seen and if the people don’t stand up against it then thats their cross to bare. This man is a friend to no one, he will use u against them then use someone else against u. You lil tar pit will be another nation security agenda. Good luck. Snake doh have friend.
What has CARICOM done to T&T? My Lady, most of your unhealthful and defective goods are mostly sold to CARICOM countries. We are one big supermarket for your products. Most of your produce CANNOT pass the required quality and safety standards of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
CARICOM should immediately halt the preferential trading treatment given to your country. How foolish of you to prefer aligning your country to that of a man who has referred to your homeland as a Sh*t Hole Country.
Kamla! You are complicitly allowing Trinidad and Tobago to be used to carry out Trump’s hostile expansionism and theft of other countries’ mineral resources. All sober-minded Head of CARICOM should treat you as a pariah.
The US government has said there is no evidence of fentanyl, or fentanyl-laced cocaine, being produced in or trafficked from Venezuela. The DEA’s 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment names Mexico and Chinese precursors as the real sources of the fentanyl crisis. Here are excerpts of what the report says of Tren de Aragua (aka TdA): “TdA mainly operates within Venezuelan migrant communities. TdA facilitates the smuggling of thousands of Venezuelan migrants into the United States and then extorts the migrants, forcing them into prostitution or other crimes to pay off their smuggling debts. TdA members also conduct small-scale drug trafficking activities such as the distribution of tusi. TdA drug trafficking activity occurs mainly at the street level and involves the distribution and sale of tusi in specific regional markets.” Read the full report at https://tinyurl.com/33hm9btj
Dont hurt allu head. Yall still gonna buy goods from Trinidad lol. Yall at the bottom of the social strata. Dominica has no avenue to force your government to boycott all the groceries and drinks allu like so much from them trini people. they have Multinational Corporations that export to the smaller caricom islands such as dominica. what a joke.
My lady………..if I was in your shoes I am sure that I would take de same action.
Caricom leaders at an ALBA summit in August?
Some of out Caricom leaders act like literal snakes my lady…..
but this info brings another perspective
I am right about Skerrit seeming hushed tones about a fake invisible peace.
who is de colonel in ALBA now?
Skerrit doh have a title?
No?
De world boss doh have a role?
No?
hahahahaha
my lady you have your own drug and crime problems to deal with……..no help from RSS
you see what it takes to have our Caricom leaders show their true colors
one action by Trump…….you can see right through de cracks.
de year ending………..look out for high petrol and cooking gas
Trinidad looking to international trade and investment rather than next door Caricom.
teach me teacher
Do you really think that Caricom leaders act like literal snakes, wow. Do you know the contribution ALBA with Venezuela has made to the region in times of critical economic assistance, facts cannot be swept away, especially Dominica. Why is it wrong, is to support Venezuela lol, this just shows truth friendship and gratitude. You are entitled to your opinion, but at least make an informed opinion.
Another ludicrous statement of yours, “Trinidad looking to international trade and investment rather than next door Caricom.” really, that is where the pastures are greener. You remember the Summit of Americas with Obama in Trinidad, what happened to that. You’re seeing all the tariffs started by the US with protectionism, is it not more beneficiary to trade with their regional neighbours, the investment they will receive is from the IMF and The World Bank with austerity measures. Opinions are cheap with no engagement of thinking.
what we trading with China………I didn’t hear it as a major achievement during de national address
Trinidad is a sovereign country and they can trade with whomever they please
if you give us de impression that Trinidad getting something for US support what are we getting from venezuela….de largest cocaine haul ever…just after de alba meeting
we will speculate because fake world boss tongue tied right now
de moneyman have to watch his tongue
he cannot shout alba
he cannot scream
he cannot pump his chest
these are facts
watching a crisis unfold
how did we get to be so vulnerable
de Caribbean Unity we pretending to profess is de same kinda unity we have in our own backyard..it not real
our leaders have us divided at home…can these same leaders show a better stronger unity even outside of their own shores?
all you serious man
where was Caricom brothers and sister leaders when Venezuela was stretching out it maritime zone to interfere with Trinidad
Trinidad stood alone
We will never progress with the constant backbiting. A racist man is who all you want to follow into a war against venezuela. This isnt about drugs, its about oil and resources. point blank , He dont want u in his country he turned on canada. Sans hont.
There is nothing wrong with asking for help; however, it depends on who you are seeking relief from.
Last I checked, the ranks of the drug addicted in the US has been at epidemic proportions since the Vietnam war. That legacy scourge is not a respecter of class type or race; however, so called minorities in the inner cities have been disproportionately affected.
Stemming the flow drugs or waging a so-called war on drugs has been on America’s to-do list for over half a century. Can someone please tell me what magic bullet will the US deploy to stem the tide of degeneration in Trinidad and at what cost.
Quite clearly the Trinidadian leader was read the proverbial riot act by the US which in a nutshell was as follows: “we will proceed with our military campaign in your front yard with or without your blessings”.
We have people posting long comments,with all kinds of big English.The FACT is the drugs that are turning Americans into ZOMBIES does not come from Venezuela,Trump and his government know damn well where the drugs are coming from,why don’t they invade Mexico and China.Donald Trump is a war criminal a he murdered was involved in drugs.a warrant should be issued for his arrest.There is no evidence the people he murdered were involved in drugs.This Kamla lady is also a war criminal and a traitor to Caribbean people.What is happening in Venezuela has nothing to do with drugs.
Agreed… in addition a racist and human rights violator. if u wanna stop drugs. u deal with the addicts.
From previous actions and rhetoric during her first time as PM, the irascible lady’s commitment to CARICOM always seemed to be tissue paper thin. Her reasons for her so-called realignment is specious at best.
I want to submit something that many will consider to be very controversial. In Trinidad here is a very large population of Indian ethnicity/ lineage. They have never seemed willing or comfortable to embrace multiculturalism. This is so controversial and divisive that moat people in the region turn a blind eye and keep mum on this issue.
That’s the mighty elephant in the room….!
My lady if i had a say, i would have expelled Trinidad and Tobago from CARICOM.
If this was done properly, all CARICOM member states would be on your side, because all have a drug problem, and most people in the region are anti drug trafficking. But you went along asking America to kill drug traffickers? You have violated your own law, you deserve imprisonment with hard labour. Does America execute without trial those involved in drugs? Surely not. They go through due process. Additionally, as i maintain, this American presence in the Caribbean waters with landing craft, nuclear powered submarine, F-35 jets etc has nothing to do with drugs. You don’t combat drugs with those military assets. Trump himself has confessed it’s a CIA operation aimed at Maduro. Reasonas why CARICOM should have collectively tell America, you are not welcomed. Go to the pacific coast to combat the drug problem.
Shame on you.
MEME
Our regional leaders just cannot seem to get their trampoline like acts together. At a time when an all hands on deck approach and a one accord mindset is sorely needed, many are choosing to break ranks and go at it alone.
While not denying that the crime problem is out of hand in Trinidad and Tobago, the current and previous administrations must ask themselves how did the country find itself in that state? It certainly did not happen overnight.
The reported social degeneration of the country certainly did not happen in a vacuum. In order to flourish, it is a given that bobol and crookedness had to permeate every layer of the country’s fabric.
As usual, the least of those or bottom feeders in the streets are being assigned the majority of the blame while the aristocrats and pawn pushers operate unscathed in their glass houses.
At the end of the day, the T&T Madam PM has to do what she gotta do for her country with or without the blessings of her regional peers.
I wouldn’t call them bottom feeders and the blame should be proportional with leaders getting more because they have more power.
But merely swapping their places (giving them the resources, education and support etc..) that those in power have you are not likely to see a change for the good.
Many of those at the bottom have the same bad behavior of those at the top. Those who would consistently choose not to abuse their power once they have it are few and far between lets stop pretending otherwise.
Poverty or powerlessness does not make you virtuous nor does having those things make you full of vices. Having or not having access to resources mostly enables or limits your ability to express what’s already in there in the first place.
Its better to be rich but better for who? The answer for most people is it is only better for themselves and those they know because that’s how they would choose to use it.
The struggle btw socialism, communism, capitalism, and democracy has always divided the region. There are some who love the dictatorship style of governance and will do anything to stay in power to mis use the resources of the state. Unity should be on principles, shared cultural and social values, integrity and an understanding that every man has an equal right to progress, freedom and advancement through those collective shared values and hard work. We built a mendicant society with an appetite for political system that stifles dissenting voices even when those voices are asking for better society. A democratic society is based on healthy difference in opinion with majority prevail. However, we have some leaders who are too juvenile and instable in their mentality and think all solutions lie in their head even if the results show otherwise. They will take away the power of the people to make their choice of leadership. Slavery was an economic system and sadly was not dismantled.
I try to be careful not to contribute to the already rampant swell-headedness in our people, but expressed gratitude can also encourage and maintain good.
I always look forward to your contributions as they are a breath of fresh air and exhibit critical thinking,
It doesn’t matter if we completely agree or not because we can agree on the facts you state unlike most of the emotional and self-indulgent posts I see that have no basis for productive exchange.
There is one point I’d add to however, sadly its not just some leaders but many terrible personality types (up and down the chain) that are too egotistical and juvenile to contribute anything of meaningful or lasting value. Their refusal to self regulate will always cause a tax on all of us once they are allowed to participate.
They could change or control themselves enough to not be a nuisance but their extreme selfishness steers them to blaming others and pretending extra-hard at best.
@stupes
Are you the little coward with that peevish mentality that noone should say or comment negatively about what you have written?
I noticed how you followed someone on here for quite a few days because his opinion was different from yours.
You seem to be quite a …… individual. What you need to do respect peoples views. Okay my friend.
ADMIN: @ “JOAKIM”
While we have chosen to ignore your behaviour in the past we also know that you post as other names and will even attempt to have conversations agreeing with yourself.
We will not allow you to bully other commenters by pretending to be more than one person responding to the same comment.
We have seen three attempts under this thread thus far that are purely ad hominem comments that would have been deleted even without this disturbing fake duplication behaviour.
As we have already done, any comments that exhibit this “duplication” will be deleted.
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bwahahahaahahaha
You lying coward, it seems that you are projecting your failings again. Everything you said actually applies to you. Maybe take your own advice?
You and EGO really are birds of a feather.
Unlike you I welcome critical thinking and the constructive discussion that comes from it. Like it or not this space does not belong to you its for all of us so if you if you say something dumb or hypocritical I will tell you so.
If you have any sense you will take the criticism if it is good and true and if you can manage to do that I will do the same as well.
ADMIN: “We will not allow you to bully other commenters by pretending to be more than one person responding to the same comment. We have seen three attempts under this thread thus far that are purely ad hominem comments that would have been deleted even without this disturbing fake duplication behaviour.”
Sounds like Ibo to me. Admin.
Your post is quite verbose but vacuous as usual. I equate it to I coal dust for its value. I say a big STRUPES to your meandering asininity.
You can’t even spell stupes right in your haste to defend your ego, you were the one pointing out typos the other day when I had to point out that you regularly make your own and as with every one of your criticisms of others you are being a hypocrite about it.
I know your type thinks everything is about you, but I was just explaining a problem, but if the cap fits let them wear it.
Let me repost your own hypocritical words to Gary from this article: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/homepage-carousel/chief-cultural-officer-says-theres-more-to-come-for-47th-independence-celebration/?unapproved=3076105&moderation-hash=19787dd6239604993eb1568c374c57c9#comment-3076105
“address the issues and desist with your incessant ad hominem assault on the plain-spoken messenger.”
But, A a, Ibo, how would such a “verbose and vacuous” post differ from the nonsense that you post? Your first name is “hot air” and your nickname is “thesaurus.” Is this a case of kanawi ka di shòndyè bonda’i nwè?
Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), yet not all member states using the same currency Caricom is a waste of time and all talk. So long they making promises after promises, only recently they started that free movement thing where you can come and stay and work gaining the same benefits as if you were a citizen in a select few countries. Trinidad has widespread gangs and violence , unlike other peaceful Caribbean countries so her stance is right unless something is done nothing will change, however the US should also be going after the gangs and drugs in Trinidad if they were really serious and not just Venezuela…
Do we need to be using the same currency in the region to live and exist peacefully with free movements of our citizens as trading partners, and at the same time respecting each other Sovereignty. Do you think using the same currency is going to unite us, and bring Economic prosperity in the region, lol. Why the fear, questioning the recently started free movement of people, fear always springs from ignorance.
Divide and rule is a scientific technique which has been used and mastered for ages by a select few, and we are seeing it now playing out in our region. Countries should be able to solve their social problems the primary solver, not outside forces. We are living in interesting times, the region is not immune from Geopolitics.