It was inevitable that the latest batch of Jamaicans to be deported by Trinidad and Tobago—some 13 of them, as happened last week—would have further aggravated  tension in relations between these two Caribbean Community partners.But it is in the interest of CARICOM as a whole to become vigorously involved in helpful diplomatic initiatives to avoid the situation from worsening.
After  all, not only are Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago among the four countries of this region to be involved in laying the original foundation for the birth of CARICOM, the two others being Guyana and Barbados. They also happen to be the most industrialised partner states and dominant partners in intra-regional and foreign trade.
Granted that all of the 15 countries comprising the membership of CARICOM have, in various ways, contributed to sustaining the regional movement to progress thus far in this its  year of its 40th anniversary, it is simply inconceivable to maintain interest and support for the regional economic integration without either Jamaica or Trinidad and Tobago.
This should be as self-evident to the sharpest critics of CARICOM, as well as all with a modicum of intelligence to appreciate that in our increasingly globalised world, there is NO alternative to correcting the real and perceived deficiencies of CARICOM and remain united in dealing with the international community.
The pun about “CARI-GONE” as substitute for “CARI-COM” may be hilarious for the cynics and ‘Doubting Thomases’, but the harsh reality, however, is that NO single member state of our Community can honestly and seriously believe that it could sever ties and succeed on its own in our highly competitive and very demanding international environment.
Truth is, the trading blocs, the economic and political power-houses of the global community, simply do not have the time for countries that set a bad example in walking away from an economic grouping with shared political and cultural perspectives when the roadmap clearly points to the need for wider and deeper integration and cooperation.
In the circumstances, our preference is for the governments and private sector decision-makers in Kingston and Port-of-Spain to hold their verbal salvos and replace rancour with the logic that favours critical re-examination of the ways things are done.
This approach could help overcome the bitterness that accompanies the cycle of deportation of nationals, as in the current scenario involving Jamaicans being denied entry by T&T immigration officials.
What is of particular relevance at this time is that not just these two CARICOM partners, but all the countries of the Community now have the historic October 4 (2013) judgment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to guide the behaviour of their respective immigration and customs services.
Member states cannot continue to make a mockery of the Treaty they signed, with eyes wide open, for establishment and functioning of the CCJ, then turn around and simply refuse to adhere to its judgment on (Of all things!) citizens right to freedom of intra-regional movement.
The landmark CCJ judgment outlines, with clarity, the rights of CARCOM citizens seeking entry as well as the responsibilities of immigration and custom officers in responding to their requests.
The latest example of Jamaicans being denied entry into T&T and deported, having been compelled to spend the night at Piarco International, seems to fly in the face of the CCJ’s recent judgment.
High time for sober, enlightened approaches to deal with this too-often recurring problem within CARICOM!