Having read Sunity Maharaj’s insightful commentary entitled “Doing the Security Council hustle” in the Sunday Express of 5th April 2026 it is clear to me that the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) is facing one of the most important challenges since the formation of the economic bloc in 1973.
The dilemma confronting CARICOM, which is comprised of 15 Member States and 5 Associate Member States, is whether CARICOM countries should continue voting en bloc in support of any CARICOM member who is a candidate for a position on an international committee or if they should vote their conscience in support of regional interests.
In the past, support for a CARICOM country’s bid for a seat on an international committee was deemed to be a vote for regional interests. However, recent actions and utterances by Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar have shown that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has chosen a path of Trinidad and Tobago first and “who vex loss”.
The inference is regional interests be damned!! Moreover, the Prime Minister has displayed a shameful and slavish obeisance to President Trump even when his actions have negatively impacted CARICOM citizens.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is a 15-member council that was created in 1945.
The UNSC is tasked with maintaining international peace and security. Each member of the UNSC has a single vote but five members (US, France, UK, Russia and China) have the power to veto any resolution of the UNSC.
The members of the UNSC act as gatekeepers in holding countries accountable for unlawful acts of aggression against other countries and have the power to impose sanctions on countries.
Given the mandate of the UNSC, the question to be answered is whether it is in the interest of CARICOM countries to support the nomination of Trinidad and Tobago for the position of non-permanent member of the UNSC since its Prime Minister has chosen to align the country with the US whose actions have been deemed to be in contravention of the UN Charter.
CARICOM leaders should not easily forget Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar’s rebuke of CARICOM leaders for affirming their decision that the Caribbean should remain a zone of peace or her encouragement to “kill them violently” in reference to the attacks on fishing vessels.
CARICOM leaders should also not forget the forcible removal of Venezuela’s President Maduro and his wife by the U.S military or the imposition of an economic blockade and intensified sanctions on Cuba.
The blockade in Cuba is causing incalculable human as well as economic cost but Trinidad and Tobago has not provided humanitarian assistance to Cuba.
In addition, US-Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran in February. This has resulted in Iran imposing a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz which in turn has caused countries to be starved of oil, gas, fertilisers and other critical supplies.
Against this backdrop it is not rational for CARICOM countries to throw support behind a country whose leader has openly pursued actions that are not consistent with regional positions.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago was quick to express support for the US attack on Iran and refused to denounce the blockade of Cuba at the recent CELAC meeting.
These views cannot be regarded as representative of the members of CARICOM which have always advocated the rule of law, non-intervention, non-alignment and the peaceful resolution of conflict between countries.
Maharaj states in her article that “breaking ranks on this vote would only drive another nail into CARICOM’s coffin”.
I would counter that support for Trinidad and Tobago’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the UNSC will inflict more pain on CARICOM given Trinidad and Tobago’s alignment with US foreign policy, which runs counter to international rules of engagement on trade and foreign policy.
I would also contend that CARICOM leaders’ withholding of support for Trinidad and Tobago may be the only way to literally save the lives and livelihood of the people in the region and across the globe.
The UNSC position should be filled by a member that does not have blind obedience to the US. More importantly, the UNSC member should be able to impartially discharge its responsibilities to maintain international peace and security.
Finally, CARICOM leaders need to consider their options in getting out of this dilemma. Firstly the Heads should consider an amendment to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which would allow a member country which pursues a foreign policy that is diametrically opposed to the interest of the regional bloc to voluntarily withdraw from the Treaty.
Alternatively, the Conference should, by unanimous decision, be able to expel a member country from the Union whose policies are inimical to the interests of the Community.
Cecila Melville