OPINION: A Call For Responsible Leadership

By Craig Flermius

In the Caribbean, the interplay between national sovereignty and regional unity is a delicate balance. Leaders must navigate their own countries’ interests while respecting the collaborative spirit of CARICOM. It is often said that all is fair in love and war, but a third dimension is often added to include politics. While on the face of it this might appear to be true, there are still boundaries and unwritten rules that are always observed and respected.  

In our Caribbean, the place that we love and call home despite our points of origin, the relationships between nations are not merely political or economic; they are more than geographical, they are woven into the social and cultural fabric of the region. As such, the responsibility of our leaders is paramount in forging and preserving our Caribbean civilization, as we share common and inextricable bonds as an evolving people. Within this context it is vital that leaders, whether elected, appointed or simply aspiring to take up public office, adhere to the highest standards of mutual respect even when in disagreement.

Very recently, thousands of viewers and listeners across the region and beyond would have had the inexplicable and unfortunate experience of hearing the unsophisticated rants of a formerly elected member of Parliament in Trinidad and Tobago who, despite his most valiant efforts and pleas, was not considered a viable option as a candidate in that country’s last general elections. Notwithstanding, his loyalty and uncanny ability to tongue polish afforded him the reward of a senatorial appointment and a share of a ministerial appointment. Kudos to loyalty and confidence. Nonetheless, we must explore why leaders like Senator Anil Roberts of Trinidad and Tobago, who openly berated other Caribbean prime ministers, must be cautious about the broader impact of their words.

As a sitting Senator and Minister of government, Anil Roberts, a Member of Parliament in Trinidad and Tobago, has utilized his public platform to voice strong criticism of other CARICOM leaders. He has even gone as far as calling them out by name in what appears to be an attempt to discredit or possibly harm their political fortunes. Even more troubling is Anil Roberts, without any factual basis, miming certain incendiary rhetoric and accusing certain CARICOM Prime Ministers of supporting “narco-terrorists”. Notably, he has done so with impunity and without any apparent censure from his own Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. While freedom of speech is a valued principle, the unchecked public attack of fellow leaders can have deeper implications for regional unity.

CARICOM, as a collective of Caribbean states, has always thrived on mutual respect and collaboration and the ideal of a oneness as a people. When those in leadership positions and influence openly disparage others, it risks not just diplomatic friction, but also economic and socio-cultural strains. CARICOM’s integration efforts rely heavily on the solidarity of its members, and divisive rhetoric can not only undermine but also rupture that solidarity.

Leaders in the Caribbean bear a duty not just to their electorate but to the wider regional community. It is crucial that they engage in healthy and constructive discourse that fosters unity rather than division.

A perfect example is the response to certain pronouncements in the media regarding the role of CARICOM. In that response, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. Gaston Browne, was not only able to debunk unfounded assertions about CARICOM and its member states but was also able to bring a sense of awareness and enlightenment to shape the perspectives and understanding of the role of CARICOM and the process of its socio-economic and historical role, as well as the value of the integration movement, thus proving that mutual respect and constructive dialogue will always bring us closer together rather than keep us apart.

In this light, the kind of public caustic excoriation displayed by Anil Roberts should be firmly and decisively repudiated to preserve the integrity, collegiality, and comity of CARICOM.