St. Kitts & Nevis to Chair the Caribbean Community at a Tumultuous Time
by Bruce Parkinson
St. Kitts & Nevis Prime Minister and CARICOM Chair Dr. Terrance Drew.
St. Kitts and Nevis has formally assumed the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), with Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew pledging calm leadership, deeper solidarity and renewed commitment to regional integration as the Caribbean enters a tumultuous new year with geopolitical issues at the forefront.
Emphasizing that regional integration is not optional but essential, Drew pointed to mounting global uncertainty and challenges facing Caribbean states, noting: “Recent international developments, including geopolitical tensions in our region and external policy decisions affecting Caribbean nationals, remind us of a fundamental truth: None will come to save us. We must save ourselves.”
The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter states that over the weekend, CARICOM was engaged in consultations following developments in Venezuela, calling for peaceful dialogue through diplomatic channels to support stability, good governance, democracy and prosperity for the people of that country.
The Bureau of Heads of Government said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation to ensure the safety and security of regional citizens and to assess potential implications for economic activity within the Community, particularly air travel. Hundreds of flights from the U.S. and Europe to the Caribbean were cancelled over the weekend.
In his address to the Community, Drew said he assumes the role “with optimism and a deep dedication to the ideals of our regional integration movement,” while acknowledging the “sterling leadership” of outgoing chairman Dr. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Drew reaffirmed CARICOM’s founding purpose of collective strength, cooperation and shared destiny, while calling for stronger coordination, clearer purpose and deeper solidarity. Looking ahead, Drew announced that St. Kitts and Nevis will host the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government from February 24 to 27, inviting leaders to advance priority issues and the welfare of the region.
