Jamaican Prime Minister and President-in-Office of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Andrew Holness, reaffirmed the region’s commitment to peace, sovereignty, and respect for international law, amidst growing geopolitical tension and US pressure against Venezuela.
In his year-end address, Holness emphasized the need for unity and cohesion in the face of challenges affecting the security and stability of the Caribbean.
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“We maintain a firm stance against transnational organized crime networks and the impact of drugs, weapons, and human trafficking on the security of our region. However, we recognize that member states may, at times, express different national perspectives,” Holness noted.
In this way, the pro tempore president of CARICOM acknowledged the diversity of positions within the regional bloc regarding the US escalation against Venezuela, openly supported by Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, while other members of the Caribbean organization have been critical and warned that a conflict would have consequences for the entire region.
The Caribbean leader emphasized that CARICOM remains firm in its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all its member states, a principle that has gained relevance amidst increasing external pressures. “At this moment in our history, we also remember that the Caribbean must navigate a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. The current international environment demands that our region act with clarity, cohesion, and strategic discipline,” he stated.
No one is surprised by this, it only further underscores the lies told by the Trinidad and Tobago government, under Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
FYI: the US Department of War contacts confirms the radar installed in Trinidad and Tobago can be used in US conflict with Venezuela: https://t.co/EXliGaVhpx
— Tamanisha J John (@TamanishaJohn) December 8, 2025
Holness stressed that, despite national differences, the Caribbean must base its responses on shared principles: “Respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, peaceful dialogue, and the resolution of differences through dialogue and mutual respect.” In that regard, she warned that external conflicts can have direct repercussions on the economies, security, and diplomatic relations of the region’s countries.
CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett recently urged unity among the organization’s 15 members in the face of what she described as “unprecedented adverse geopolitical winds” threatening regional stability. CARICOM members are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Beyond the geopolitical challenges, Holness highlighted key achievements of regional integration by 2025, including the historic implementation, as of October 1, of the full free movement of people between Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. “This allows member states that wish to do so to deepen cooperation, while keeping the door open for others to participate when they are ready,” he explained.
The Jamaican Prime Minister highlighted CARICOM’s coordinated response to Hurricane Melissa, which struck several Caribbean countries in October. “The extraordinary show of support at the regional, international, and individual levels confirmed a simple truth about our community: as members of the Caribbean family, we are never alone,” he said.
#EnVivo | ¡Este 2025, Telesur, la señal informativa de América Latina y El Caribe, te llevó a los rincones más fascinantes de esta emblemática región, donde descubrimos los eventos que destacaron la rica biodiversidad y tradiciones. https://t.co/0yEuHUOteZ
— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) December 31, 2025
Holness concluded his message with a call to uphold the community’s founding values: “In times of uncertainty, our commitment to diplomacy, cooperation, and mutual respect will remain essential to safeguarding the peace, development, and independence of member states.” He also expressed his gratitude for having chaired CARICOM during the second half of 2025, highlighting the unity and shared purpose that guided the bloc’s actions during the year.
This declaration reinforces Caricom’s position as a regional actor committed to non-interference, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the collective defense of Caribbean interests in an increasingly complex international scenario.
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