On December 19th the U.S. Administration imposed partial entry restrictions on a number of countries, including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. See Trump expands US travel ban to include two Caribbean countries.
The U.S. action sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity on the part of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, which resulted in some adjustments to the U.S. approach. Following these efforts in Washington, clarification was received on the impact of the U.S. decision. See Visas already issued to Antigua and Barbuda residents not affected by new US ruling – Sanders – Stabroek News
At the same time, following the original U.S. announcement the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) issued a Statement of concern regarding the recent announcement from the U.S. Administration that partial entry restrictions would be placed on Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. See CARICOM Statement.
This CARICOM Statement has drawn the ire of several CARICOM leaders, most vociferously, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. Her reaction, and that of the P.M. of Antigua and Barbuda, has exposed a huge rift in CARICOM solidarity and has some analysts saying CARICOM is at a crossroads, while still others call for Trinidad’s removal from the organization.
December 21, 2025
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Saturday said the 15-member regional integration grouping, Caricom, will not determine the future of her twin island republic and that it “is not a reliable partner at this time”.
“An organisation that chooses to disparage our greatest ally the United States but lends support to the Maduro narco-government headed by a dictator who has imprisoned and killed thousands of civilians and opposition members as well as threatened two Caricom members is one that has clearly lost its way,” Persad-Bissessar said in a statement.
She said that on December 16, the US government issued a fact sheet outlining the decision by President Donald Trump to further restrict and limit the entry of certain foreign nationals in the interest of United States national security.
“The fact sheet detailed the justification for the partial suspension of entry for immigrants and nonimmigrants under the B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visa categories, and referenced the historical operation of Citizenship by Investment programmes without residency requirements in both Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda.
“I have taken note of a subsequent statement issued by the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom). In its statement, the Bureau expressed concern about the restrictions that the US government announced on December 16, 2025.”
Persad-Bissessar said that she was advising citizens of Trinidad and Tobago that Port of Spain “is not a party to the statement issued by the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government.
“I acknowledge the right of the Bureau of the Conference to express its views. However, the Trinidad and Tobago government maintains its own position on the matter and recognises the sovereign right of the United States to make decisions in furtherance of its best interests…
Source: Nation News
See also…
Trinidad PM says Caricom has ‘lost its way’ – nationnews.com
Antigua’s Browne chides Caricom over US visa statement, slams unnamed leader – Jamaica Observer