Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has issued a sharp warning to fellow CARICOM leaders, cautioning that the regional bloc risks “imploding” if heads of government continue to interfere in the internal politics of other member states.
Her comments come in response to claims by St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who accused financiers linked to Trinidad and Tobago’s ruling United National Congress (UNC) of backing the Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) ahead of St. Vincent’s November 27 general election.
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Persad-Bissessar dismissed the accusation outright.
“I categorically refute and reject these allegations,” she said, adding that the UNC had no involvement in any foreign political campaign.
Gonsalves Accuses UNC Financiers of Meddling
At a recent Unity Labour Party (ULP) rally, Gonsalves alleged that the NDP’s campaign was being funded by “a set of people from overseas,” including individuals tied to Trinidad’s UNC.
He claimed UNC “operatives” were already on the ground in St. Vincent and suggested their motivation was tied to “interest in lands” and economic opportunities.
Gonsalves argued that St. Vincent’s strong economic performance—second in the region only to Guyana over the past five years—had attracted outside interests. He accused these external actors of seeking “sweetheart deals” while Trinidad and Tobago’s economy struggles.
Persad-Bissessar Fires Back
The Trinidad leader responded forcefully, calling Gonsalves’ claims hypocritical and politically opportunistic.
“It is ironic that a man whose family obtained access to three luxury apartments in Trinidad— including one on a favorable rent-to-own basis—would seek to call others greedy,” Persad-Bissessar said.
She insisted that investigations into the three properties purchased by Gonsalves’ relatives in Trinidad have “nothing to do” with the St. Vincent election. According to her, the probe aims to verify the legitimacy of documents used in the purchases, the source of funds, and how Gonsalves’ daughter accessed a rent-to-own arrangement just two days after Trinidad’s last general election.
Growing Concerns of Regional Interference
Persad-Bissessar said she had recently observed “other CARICOM prime ministers” actively engaging in political campaigning outside their own countries—behavior she described as “deplorable and disreputable.”
“The UNC does not participate in that type of conduct,” she said. “The choice of a leader for St Vincent and the Grenadines is solely for the people of that country.”
She stressed that if regional leaders continue “cavorting around the region and interfering in the affairs and elections of member states,” CARICOM’s unity could collapse.
Ongoing Tensions Between Kingstown and Port of Spain
This latest exchange adds fuel to an already heated dispute between the two governments.
The controversy began when Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Anil Roberts, questioned how three members of Gonsalves’ family were able to acquire high-end apartments at Victoria Keyes in Diego Martin. He suggested irregularities in the paperwork and hinted the matter may be referred to the police.
Gonsalves, an attorney, insisted his relatives—citizens of Trinidad and Tobago—followed proper procedures and were not granted any special treatment. He has since referred the issue to a senior counsel.
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has launched an internal investigation into the acquisitions, with Chairman Feeroz Khan confirming that the board is reviewing the documents associated with the purchases, which reportedly total nearly TT$5 million.
Khan said the HDC will await the results of the review before taking further action.
