Kamla Persad-Bissessar Withdraws From CHOGM After Contracting Flu; Dr Amery Browne Questions Attendance Record

A last-minute change to Trinidad and Tobago’s delegation has left Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar out of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda, prompting fresh criticism of her attendance at major regional and international engagements.

The Prime Minister withdrew from the November 2–4 summit after contracting the flu, just hours after Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs confirmed that she would attend.

A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago subsequently confirmed that Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Sean Sobers would represent the country at the gathering.

Persad-Bissessar later reportedly confirmed that she had contracted a bad case of flu, forcing her to cancel her trip to Antigua.

Her absence has drawn criticism from Dr Amery Browne, a former Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, who questioned her record of attendance at important regional meetings and international summits.

Dr Browne referenced her absence from the CARICOM Heads of Government retreat in Nevis earlier this year and described Persad-Bissessar as having the “lowest work ethic in our history.”

He also questioned whether the Prime Minister’s presence in Trinidad or Antigua would make any meaningful difference to ordinary citizens.

Despite the change in leadership of the delegation, Trinidad and Tobago will remain represented at CHOGM through Minister Sobers, who is expected to participate in discussions alongside other Commonwealth representatives.

The summit, being held in Antigua and Barbuda from November 2–4, brings together leaders and representatives from the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries to discuss issues affecting the organisation and its member states.