Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Sean Sobers has been vocal, insisting the issue was handled outside formal channels, raising concerns about adherence to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas—the legal framework governing the regional bloc. According to Sobers, the reappointment “was not an agenda item” and was instead discussed in limited settings, excluding key representatives. 

Trinidad and Tobago has since called for an urgent CARICOM meeting to address what it describes as a lack of transparency, warning that unresolved concerns could have long-term implications for regional cooperation.

However, several regional leaders have pushed back strongly against those claims.

President Irfaan Ali defended the process, stating that the procedure used was consistent with previous appointments. He emphasized that discussions took place among heads of government during a caucus session, where views were exchanged before a decision was reached. 

Similarly, CARICOM Chairman Terrance Drew maintained that all member states were informed and invited to participate, and that Barnett secured the required majority support among leaders. 

The disagreement highlights deeper political tensions within the 15-member regional bloc, which plays a critical role in economic integration, foreign policy coordination, and regional development. 

The controversy has also drawn in broader geopolitical dynamics, with Trinidad and Tobago’s government increasingly vocal about reforming CARICOM’s operations and decision-making processes. 

As the region moves toward upcoming CARICOM meetings, the dispute threatens to test the cohesion of the organization, raising questions about governance standards and the future direction of Caribbean unity.

Sources: Newsroom Guyana, AP News, TT Express, Guardian  Media, Caribbean Today, Demerara Waves