Divisions are emerging within Caricom over the United States’ growing military footprint in the Caribbean.
At an emergency meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Thursday, Trinidad and Tobago stood as the only Caricom nation to support Washington’s presence, while others aligned with efforts to condemn it.
CELAC members had proposed a communique warning that the deployment of U.S. warships, submarines, and troops threatened regional peace and stability. Several Caricom governments, along with members of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), backed the move, describing the buildup as “a new demonstration of imperial force.”
But Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers said Port of Spain could not support such a statement. “There’s no evidence to suggest that the U.S.’ intervention against transnational crime will destabilise regional security,” he said, noting that T&T is disproportionately affected by crime compared to its Caricom neighbours.
Sobers stressed that the position was rooted in sovereignty and national security, adding that Caricom traditionally respects the individual stances of its members. “Any right-thinking person would want to welcome that level of intervention,” he said, describing U.S. assistance as the first significant “physical intervention” in T&T’s fight against transnational crime.
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines have all come together to oppose the deployment of US warships, submarines, and troops in the Caribbean, labeling it as a “new demonstration of imperial force.”
Outside Caricom, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Panama and Costa Rica also shared T&T’s position. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meanwhile, used a visit to Ecuador to underscore Washington’s focus on drug trafficking and organised crime in the region.
Caricom has yet to issue a joint position on the issue, leaving the split over U.S. involvement unresolved.
Trinidad is ONLY one country so how can there be a divide among CARICOM. A divide is when you have an equal opposing or supporting amount.
Trinidad like America for themselves
CARICOM is a talkshop. Wasted time. Wasted effort. Just a chattahbox. And CARICOM is not necessairly unity. They dont need to united on every matter. People can have their opinion.
If one person decides to support how is that division?
Because that’s how the basic mathematic principle of dividing works…smh.
Always something when two evil leaders come together…In opposition of course
This undermines CARICOM unity. Every nation shouldn’t be taking sides with militaries.
Notice how CARICOM is never caricoming unless its a drama.
Comment *This situation highlights why many Caricom nations are wary of foreign military intervention. Deploying warships, submarines, and troops in the Caribbean is a major show of force, and it risks escalating tensions unnecessarily. Even if the stated purpose is to combat crime, such a heavy military footprint can be perceived as intimidation or coercion, which could destabilize the region rather than protect it. Caricom’s strength lies in unity and diplomacy, not allowing external powers to set the agenda