PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — Former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Amery Browne has urged Caribbean Community leaders to resist any attempt to reopen the Caricom Barnett row at next week’s heads of government meeting in St Lucia, warning that the dispute could divert attention from urgent regional priorities.
Browne said Caricom should instead focus on issues affecting Caribbean citizens and neighboring states, including coordination of assistance for Venezuela after recent earthquakes. His comments came as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar prepares to attend the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, scheduled for July 5 to 8 in Gros Islet.
Persad-Bissessar is expected to attend with Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers and Minister in the Ministry Nicholas Morris. The summit is part of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, hosted under the chairmanship of St Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, who assumed the role of Caricom chair on July 1.
Barnett dispute follows Nevis decision
The dispute centers on the reappointment of Caricom Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, whose second term is scheduled to begin in August. Caricom previously said the required majority of heads of government supported her reappointment during the 50th Regular Meeting in St Kitts and Nevis.
Persad-Bissessar has objected to the process, arguing that the reappointment was procedurally flawed. Trinidad and Tobago’s objection to Barnett’s reappointment was reinforced last week by a legal opinion from Professor Rajendra Ramlogan, a University of the West Indies commercial and environmental law specialist, who argued that the process was defective.
The issue has created tension between Trinidad and Tobago and sections of the regional bloc. Caricom leaders later met to discuss the matter, and at the most recent meeting, 10 of the 15 leaders supported Barnett’s reappointment and agreed that the process should not be reopened.
Persad-Bissessar did not attend two subsequent meetings convened by Caricom leaders to address the controversy. Government officials in Trinidad and Tobago have said she is expected to attend the full St Lucia conference, including the leaders’ retreat, unlike the St Kitts meeting, which she left before the Nevis retreat.
Browne warns against reviving Caricom Barnett row
Speaking at a People’s National Movement media conference Thursday, Browne said the party was pleased that Persad-Bissessar would attend the St Lucia summit, but he criticized what he described as her inconsistent participation in regional meetings.
He said her last engagement with Caricom led to what he called a diplomatic disaster over the secretary-general issue. Browne said he hoped the prime minister was not traveling to St Lucia to revive what he described as a crisis.
“A priority at the conference should be the coordination of additional assistance and support to Venezuela following the recent devastating earthquakes,” Browne said.
He urged regional leaders to resist any attempt by Trinidad and Tobago to restart attacks on Barnett or challenge the outcome of the Nevis retreat. Browne said Persad-Bissessar has not explained her absence from that forum, which he described as central to the dispute that followed.
“The regional family must bear in mind she has not offered an explanation or excuse for her unacceptable absence from that forum,” Browne said.
Browne also criticized what he called the government’s reckless and irresponsible positions on Caricom matters. He said if Persad-Bissessar had attended the Nevis retreat, much of the subsequent tension could have been avoided.
Sobers did not respond to Browne’s comments.
St Lucia chairmanship faces early test
The dispute gives Pierre’s chairmanship an early diplomatic test as St Lucia hosts leaders at a time when Caricom is expected to address several issues with direct implications for the region.
The summit agenda is expected to include the Caricom Single Market and Economy, free movement of people, aid to Cuba, climate issues, food security, economic growth, digital transformation, and expanded trade and investment opportunities.
For Caribbean citizens, those discussions carry practical consequences. Decisions on free movement and the single market affect workers, businesses, students, and families seeking access to opportunities across member states. Climate and food security discussions also remain central for small island economies facing rising costs, natural disasters, and supply-chain pressures.
Browne said he expects Pierre’s chairmanship to emphasize solidarity and movement within the regional bloc. He described the St Lucian prime minister as “a man of reason and peace” and noted that Pierre had previously supported the process surrounding Barnett’s reappointment.
Still, the unresolved tension with Trinidad and Tobago could complicate the opening days of the summit. If the Barnett issue is raised again in St Lucia, Caricom leaders may have to balance Trinidad and Tobago’s objections against the wider need to preserve unity and keep attention on regional policy decisions.
The St Lucia meeting is expected to open Sunday afternoon in Gros Islet, with remarks from Pierre, outgoing Caricom chair Dr. Terrance Drew of St Kitts and Nevis, and Barnett.
