The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda is hitting back hard against the recent criticism from Trinidad and Tobago's leader. Gaston Browne rejected the claim that CARICOM is an unreliable and dysfunctional partner. He argued with concrete trade data, noting Trinidad earned over a billion U.S. dollars from the regional bloc just this year, making it their second biggest export market. He said CARICOM members gave up massive customs revenue by buying Trinidadian goods instead of imports, calling it real regional support.
Browne also pointed to security cooperation, like shared intelligence helping fight organized crime, as proof of the bloc's value. He directly countered the suggestion that his country badmouthed the United States to provoke visa restrictions, stating there is no evidence for that, and cooperation with Washington remains strong. He framed the issue as one of respectful dialogue between sovereign states, not disloyalty. His statement reinforced the idea that small nations are stronger together in the bloc, directly opposing the Trinidadian premier's warnings of an impending implosion.
Browne also pointed to security cooperation, like shared intelligence helping fight organized crime, as proof of the bloc's value. He directly countered the suggestion that his country badmouthed the United States to provoke visa restrictions, stating there is no evidence for that, and cooperation with Washington remains strong. He framed the issue as one of respectful dialogue between sovereign states, not disloyalty. His statement reinforced the idea that small nations are stronger together in the bloc, directly opposing the Trinidadian premier's warnings of an impending implosion.
