by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN)—Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Hon. Dr Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, on January 30, 2026, visited Trinidad and Tobago as part of his series of high-level bilateral engagements.
The CARICOM Chair held constructive talks with the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
The visit marks part of’ intensifying coordination ahead of the 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Conference, to be hosted in St. Kitts and Nevis from February 24–27.
Prime Minister Drew wrote:
“Today, January 30th, I continued my engagements as CARICOM Chair with a very constructive bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago. Our discussions focused on matters of regional importance, strengthening cooperation, aligning priorities, and deepening integration across the Caribbean Community as we prepare for the 50th Heads of Government Conference in St. Kitts and Nevis from February 24–27. These engagements are about listening, aligning, and moving our Caribbean Community forward!”
Prime Minister Drew and his delegation also visited the National Parliament and toured the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as part of the official program.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar welcomed Dr Drew during a session in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.
She reaffirmed Trinidad and Tobago’s strong commitment to CARICOM, regional unity, and collective development.
Persad-Bissessar expressed that the Community remains relevant and responsive to the people of the Caribbean.
“On behalf of the government and the people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, we wish to warmly welcome the Honourable Dr Terence Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts-Nevis, and the current Chair of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM. We really warmly welcome them to Trinidad and Tobago together with this delegation. Can we please welcome them?
“Prime Minister Drew assumed chairmanship of the Conference on January 1 of this year, and will this year, later this month, later in February, will be hosting the 50th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in St. Kitts and Nevis from 24 to 27 February 2026. Mr Speaker, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago attaches great importance to our country’s long-standing relationship with CARICOM, and indeed my own personal relationship, Prime Minister, with St. Kitts and Nevis. I’ve had the pleasure to work with others in St. Kitts and Nevis. So, CARICOM, Trinidad and Tobago: we stand as one of the largest contributors, and we remain highly invested in CARICOM. We remain highly invested in the region’s success and our commitment to collective regional growth and development. As a government, we share the sentiments, warm sentiments, expressed by Prime Minister Drew in his New Year’s message to the community upon assuming chairmanship of CARICOM.
“And those words I quote from Prime Minister Drew, our collective strength is greater than any single issue before us. While Trinidad and Tobago believe that CARICOM is in urgent need of some transformation, we remain committed to Caribbean unity. I repeat, we remain committed to Caribbean unity.
“My government is proud to engage with Prime Minister Drew and his delegation in productive discussions on issues facing the region. We will both ensure that the work of CARICOM remains relevant to the people of CARICOM. Through you, Mr Speaker, Prime Minister Drew, though your visit is short, I invite you to come back soon to enjoy the rest of our carnival season. I thank you, Mr Speaker.”
The visit comes amid reported “tension” concerning recent remarks made by surrounding Persad-Bissessar about the bloc and whether Trinidad and Tobago was complicit in the United States’ arrest of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar suggested that perceptions surrounding Trinidad and Tobago’s role in Maduro’s arrest would persist regardless of official explanations.
Despite her view that CARICOM needs transformation, she appreciates Drew’s approach to the chairmanship.
“We’re very pleased to have you with us. Our conversation here earlier, together with your team, is very encouraging. I’m very impressed with your approach in dealing with CARICOM as you take over the chair. You’ve taken over the chair, so we welcome you and thank you very much.”
Prime Minister Drew thanked the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and the people for their welcome.
“Thank you for receiving me, and to thank you for your hospitality, and by extension to your government and the people, the great people of Trinidad and Tobago. As you know, I’m the chair, as you would have mentioned, and I’m seeking to reach out to all of our members so that we can continue to build CARICOM to stronger and more stable and secure heights that will benefit all of us and the principles of respect and understanding that each of us is sovereign within the framework.”
It was shared that the two leaders discussed strengthening cooperation within CARICOM, advancing shared development priorities, and reinforcing the value of deeper regional integration and coordinated policy action.
The CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett, and other senior CARICOM officials were also present throughout the engagements, supporting the Chair’s ongoing diplomatic outreach.
