Sharp divide emerges over Caricom as Rowley challenges Persad-Bissessar

Former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has delivered a stinging critique of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar over recent statements which, he suggests, risk weakening Caricom at a critical moment for the region.

Rowley’s comments came a day after Persad-Bissessar again criticised the 15-member regional bloc, describing it as dysfunctional and “not a reliable partner at this time”.

Her remarks followed a statement from the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom expressing concern over visa restrictions announced by the United States government against Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica.

“An organisation that chooses to disparage our greatest ally, the United States, but lends support to the Maduro narco-government headed by a dictator who has imprisoned and killed thousands of civilians and opposition members, as well as threatened two Caricom members, is one that has clearly lost its way,” Persad-Bissessar said in her statement.

She added: “The fact is that beneath the thin mask of unity, there are many widening fissures that if left unaddressed will lead to its implosion. The organisation is deteriorating rapidly due to poor management, lax accountability, factional divisions, destabilising policies, private conflicts between regional leaders and political parties and the inappropriate meddling in the domestic politics of member states. That’s the plain truth.”

Persad-Bissessar further stated: “The Caribbean community must face the rot within the organisation with transparency and honesty. Hiding behind the glibness of diplomacy, fake sophistication and false narratives is self-defeating”.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Rowley said that since Trinidad and Tobago gained Independence in 1962, he has not seen a leader he regards as more unpatriotic or recklessly incompetent than Persad-Bissessar.

He added that he had never encountered a statement from a national leader that he considered more offensive to the country’s sovereign right to agree or disagree on matters affecting its interests and responsibilities.

Rowley criticised the public withdrawal from key Caricom issues, warning that such actions weaken regional solidarity and place the country in a dangerous position.

He suggested that seeking favour or protection from the US at the expense of regional engagement reflects poor judgement, historical amnesia and a loss of self-respect in the conduct of national affairs. (BT)