Caribbean governments were, they suggested, looking at significantly cutting the regional secretariat’s budget and this would mean the loss of key staff. Worse, Caricom was at or near its financial limits and governments that normally supported its cash flow in times of difficulty were seeking a reduction in their contribution

Over the last few weeks I have had the opportunity in the margins of other conversations to discuss with a wide range of Caribbean visitors their views on where the regional integration process is going. To a person, all were concerned that national self-interest and the absence of vision among leaders, was pulling the Caribbean apart and removing any ambition for taking the regional project forwards.
Instead of addressing how to share sovereignty and create a viable regional structure of governance that would ensure implementation of what was agreed, Caricom heads were, they observed, now moving in the opposite direction despite their public rhetoric to the contrary.

Caribbean governments were, they suggested, looking at significantly cutting the regional secretariat’s budget and this would mean the loss of key staff. Worse, Caricom was at or near its financial limits and governments that normally supported its cash flow in times of difficulty were…..