A senior Antigua and Barbuda government official encourages boycott of Trinidad and Tobago goods after PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s remarks
A senior Antigua and Barbuda government official, speaking to Antigua.news on condition of anonymity, has urged residents and regional partners to boycott the importation of goods from Trinidad and Tobago following recent remarks by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar that critics here say directly insult Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership.
Persad-Bissessar’s comments, made on social media on Sunday, accused the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), including Antigua and Barbuda — of “aligning itself with the Maduro narco-government” and implicitly backed United States policy in the region over Venezuela.
She described Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as a “dictator who has imprisoned and killed thousands of Venezuelans who oppose him” and dismissed CARICOM’s longstanding zone of peace diplomatic framework as a “façade” that shields Caracas.
In her statement, the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister insisted her government “wants no part of that alignment,” arguing that Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica should focus less on her remarks and more on explaining why U.S. visa restrictions were imposed on their citizens.
Reacting strongly to these assertions, the unnamed government official told Antigua.news that Persad-Bissessar’s characterisation of Antigua and Barbuda’s foreign policy was “completely unfounded and deeply offensive.”
He said the suggestion that Antigua is somehow backing dictatorship or drug trafficking was “an insult to our nation, our democratic values, and our commitment to regional unity.”
“For the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago to cast aspersions on our government and to denigrate CARICOM’s principled diplomatic approach is both irresponsible and reckless,” the official said.
“Such language has consequences, and we cannot ignore the implications for our people, our economy, and our regional relationships.”
He urged Antigua and Barbuda residents and businesses to consider a boycott of Trinidad and Tobago goods, arguing that if formal diplomatic channels and regional mechanisms cannot curb what he described as “disrespectful rhetoric,” consumers and partners should take matters into their own hands.
The official also believes that other CARICOM countries should join the boycott to send a collective message about respect and regional solidarity.
Antigua and Barbuda imports a significant range of goods from Trinidad and Tobago, reflecting deep economic links between the two CARICOM states. In 2024, Antigua and Barbuda imported approximately US $28.2 million worth of products from Trinidad and Tobago — representing around 4.2 % of total imports.
These imports include a variety of consumer and capital goods, such as:
• Motor vehicles and automotive parts
• Frozen poultry and other food preparations
• Medicaments and pharmaceutical products
• Beverages and other manufactured goods
Was Trinidad one of the countries that said they didn’t want any little pigs sucking on them.We should have learn from the first red flag.
Once again, the silly actions of our leaders is only going to only harm its people.
My family member depends on traveling to the U.S. to treat his cancer, because Antigua is unable to treat him type of cancer.
So, I am saying again, the action of a petty government will only harm its people.
You will learn when your action/s cause you the next general election!!!!
Growing up, I was told it was Jamaicans 🇯🇲, not Trinidadians, who had said that. Now Antigua is overcrowded with Jamaican nationals and is still adding. I never heard anyone says it was Trinidad when I was growing up.,
Sometimes we have to hurt to heal! We cannot stand against Venezuela! We would be outrightly ungrateful! Kamla doesn’t care about Black people! She would rather be Syc, a lickspitter or a bottom kisser to Trump than strengthening ties with her neighbour’s! Today is Venezuela! Tomorrow he is coming after T&T! Antigua you let go the Cubans who did you so much good! Let’s see how you treat Benezuela!
YOU CALLING FOR A BOYCOPT BUT YOU WANT YOUR IDENTITY TO BE PRIVATE? HOW CAN I TRUST YOU???
WHY BOYCOTT?
Because a brave and undoubtedly intelligent woman, a leader calls for my Caribbean Countries to steer clear of a DICTATOR?
I feel whoever is responsible for demanding this BOYCOTT is an associate, if not very close ally of said DICTATOR Murduo!!!
Exactly you hit the nail on the head. Can be anyone who post that comment and is a Coward whoever it be.
Than U. Really stupid!!!
CARICOM looking messy right now
Lets see if Antigua is buying illegal oil from Venezuela.
The same way she came against caricom is the same way they should stand in unity against her and stop buying or reduce buying from Trinidad. Its that simple.
Good luck with that, considering that products from Trinidad come in duty free once they’re made there under CARICOM agreement can you imagine how expensive products that DO have to pay duty are going to be? If we want to cut off our noses to spite our faces so be it, but the consequences will be costly !
SMH Mr Port Manager how will that implicate us? We need feedback. Please and thanks!
WHY BOYCOTT?
Because a brave and undoubtedly intelligent woman, a leader calls for my Caribbean Countries to steer clear of a DICTATOR?
I feel whoever is responsible for demanding this BOYCOTT is an associate, if not very close ally of said DICTATOR Maduro!!!
So where we going to order things from now Africa? Our little money cannot cripple Trini but if more countries boycut with us we will make an impact. Wild idea since everyone seem to be having these lately
The same person who is bullying caribbean people is the biggest world dictator. He listen to no one. He love no one. Once he say jump, all you have to ask is how high. If you challenge his order, you are blacklisted
So why fight him if you know you cannot win and will be black listed. Do you know that you can not like him and not agree with certain things but still keep your mouth shut publicly and avoid things that will make life rough for you and your citizens
Exactly so, it is the country you are supposed to be looking out for not putting your petty likes or dislikes ahead of developing the country and ALL of its people. Look at Ralph in SVG, for so many years he held onto his personal views against selling passports and whilst other countries that did made millions, little SVG made nothing, and the country has been struggling and staggering when it could have been thriving and doing well had it had the millions in CBI money. He put himself against the country and promoted his own personal viewpoint against the progress of the nation. What a traitor. The people eventually saw through him and booted him out the door in a landslide eviction, there is no way his party can ever recover and most have already jumped out.
Boycotts may send a message, but they can also hurt ordinary consumers and businesses at home. Think before we talk!
She trying to score points with the US by throwing small islands under the bus. That unacceptable. Antigua not anyone’s puppet state. Kamla outta order. And when you Outta order you get what coming for you
Why we must keep supporting Trinidad economy when their PM openly insults ours? This is not about politics, it’s about dignity. Too bad for her. You can disagree on Venezuela without accusing your neighbours of supporting crime. Boycott until respect return.Words have consequences. Kamla learning that now especially when Antigua is run by a PM who isn’t afraid to change his attire by the roadside
Honestly, I get what Kamla was trying to say, even if she said it clumsy and disrespectful. She’s basically saying the U.S. has power whether we like it or not, and small Caribbean countries feel the consequences when they poke the bear. That part isn’t a lie. visas, trade, security, all of that matters.
But where she crossed the line is dragging Antigua and Dominica like an example, as if we foolish or deserved what happened. That feels insulting and divisive. CARICOM isn’t supposed to work like ‘stay quiet or else.’
At the same time, we also can’t pretend we live in a fantasy world where big countries don’t flex power. We do. So leaders have to balance pride with strategy. Talking tough might feel good locally, but it can cost real people real opportunities.
What’s happening now is ego on all sides. Trinidad trying to look pragmatic, Antigua feeling disrespected, the U.S. doing what it always does .. protecting its interests. And in the middle of all that? Regular Caribbean people stressing about visas, travel, food prices, and jobs.
This shouldn’t turn into boycotts or insults. It should turn into quieter diplomacy and regional unity, because when CARICOM starts tearing at itself, none of us win , not against the U.S., not against anyone.
Well said!
Well stated. We are tiny countries with no armies and can be easily swallowed up! Unity and diplomacy, without hubris is needed. Know when to keep our mouths shut and no place for CARICOM verbal spats.
Antigua doesn’t manufacture anything so why should we boycott imports from Trinidad and goes hungry.
This is getting out of hand. Leaders need to watch their language because words have consequences. CARICOM unity is already fragile enough.
Kamla didn’t have to drag Antigua and Dominica into this. You can disagree with Venezuela without insulting your neighbours.
Agreed!
Whether you like Maduro or not, accusing fellow CARICOM states of backing narco-government is reckless and dangerous talk.
My mother ran a business in Antigua for over 40years,she never wore a red dress nor did she wear blue ones.
She kept her mouth shut,,as to whom she supports.
(hint hint)
Kamla crossed a serious line. And that is all. You don’t insult fellow CARICOM states and expect business as usual. Calling Antigua a supporter of narco-government is reckless and offensive. She owes this country an apology. I would suggest an apology rather than a boycott. Let us end the year in love.
I am a Trinidadian and I am so embarrassed at current happenings in our region presently. I am totally in disagreement with our present governments stand in support of oppressive USA and continued neocoloniast rule in the world. That’s a backwards step for us. We are not subjects of their ungodly stances. So, there is so much more that can be said, but I urge other Caribbean leaders to remain steadfast and don’t bow to the Babylon empire. It’s God
word to not bow/submit to evil, the cost is greater than the fear now.