The Bottom Line - What's going on in Trinidad?

What’s going on in Trinidad?

November 7, 2025

Something major could be brewing in Trinidad.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar just declared that she no longer sees CARICOM as a reliable partner, hinting at a possible “realignment” of Trinidad’s foreign policy. So what’s really going on between Trinidad, the U.S., and Venezuela?

And how will this affect the rest of the region?

Categories: The Bottom Line

Audio Only Stream

While Jamaica was pre-occupied with Hurricane Melissa, what on earth was going on in Trinidad?

Tenisons are extremely high across the Caribbean right now, as Trinidad is now distancing itself from CARICOM – the regional body it helped to found. All over issues between the United States and Venezuela.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said that she no longer considers Caricom a reliable partner.

The PM said that over the next couple years, there will be a significant “realignment” of her country’s foreign policy. She said quote- “We will mainly focus on increasing linkages and co-operation with countries outside the region. We need to look for new partners in trade, investment and security”.

According to the PM, those changes are necessary to improve Trinidad’s economic and physical security.

Now, some of this is stemming from the conflict between the US and Venezuela. We have a separate video explaining that situation. But in summary, Trinidad has agreed to help the US in its “war on drugs” against Venezuela.

Caricom has said it believes the region must stay a “zone of peace”. But Persad-Bissessar said T&T can’t stay a zone of peace because of how close they are to Venezuela. Additionally, some Caricom member states have expressed support for Venezuela.

Remember, Venezuela has been CARICOM’s ally for several years, including the 2010s, when we all benefited greatly from PetroCaribe. This was a policy that allowed Caribbean governments to basically borrow oil from Venezuela, while only paying a fraction of the cost up front and financing the rest at very low interest rates. This was a life saver for the Caribbean at a time when oil prices were sky high.

Now cue Kamla’s statement about realigning Trinidad’s foreign policy. She hasn’t exactly said they’re leaving Caricom, but “no longer sees Caricom as a reliable partner” seems like strong language, and it does open up a lot of questions.

It’s like the Caribbean’s version of Brexit. And if they do leave, what would that mean for trade and the CSME?

And that’s the bottom line.