Trinidad PM Demands CARICOM Chief's Exit Amid US Policy Feud
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has intensified a diplomatic conflict with Caribbean neighbors by demanding the departure of CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett after her term ends in August. The dispute centers on divergent views regarding United States military policy in the region, specifically concerning drug trafficking operations and actions against Venezuela. While other CARICOM members advocate for maintaining the Caribbean as a 'zone of peace,' Persad-Bissessar has criticized this stance as 'fakery' and openly supported U.S. strikes and the Trump administration's campaign against organized crime. Highlighting that Trinidad contributes approximately 22% of CARICOM’s annual budget, the Prime Minister expressed deep dissatisfaction with the bloc’s alignment with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This ongoing tension culminated in an emergency meeting to discuss Barnett’s reappointment, marking a significant escalation in regional political relations. The incident underscores the growing rift within the 15-member trade bloc over geopolitical alliances and security strategies involving major external powers like the United States.
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Trinidad PM Demands CARICOM Chief's Exit Amid US Policy Feud
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has intensified a diplomatic conflict with Caribbean neighbors by demanding the departure of CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett after her term ends in August. The dispute centers on divergent views regarding United States military policy in the region, specifically concerning drug trafficking operations and actions against Venezuela. While other CARICOM members advocate for maintaining the Caribbean as a 'zone of peace,' Persad-Bissessar has criticized this stance as 'fakery' and openly supported U.S. strikes and the Trump administration's campaign against organized crime. Highlighting that Trinidad contributes approximately 22% of CARICOM’s annual budget, the Prime Minister expressed deep dissatisfaction with the bloc’s alignment with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This ongoing tension culminated in an emergency meeting to discuss Barnett’s reappointment, marking a significant escalation in regional political relations. The incident underscores the growing rift within the 15-member trade bloc over geopolitical alliances and security strategies involving major external powers like the United States.
AP News