Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have agreed to seek an advisory opinion from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the process used to reappoint the Community’s Secretary General, following objections raised by the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
The decision was announced in a statement issued after the CARICOM Heads of Government Retreat held on Monday, July 6, 2026.
According to the statement, Trinidad and Tobago maintained its objection to the process used in the reappointment of the Secretary General and requested that the matter be referred to the CCJ for an advisory opinion.
To facilitate that request, the Heads of Government agreed to commence proceedings under Article 212 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to obtain the Court’s interpretation.
“The Community acknowledged that this is the very purpose for which the CCJ was created – to be a treaty interpretation body,” the Heads stated.
However, pending the Court’s opinion, “the status quo with respect to the re-appointment of the Secretary General shall remain unless and until the Community considers the said Advisory Opinion from the CCJ,”
The regional body said the agreed approach provides a constructive path toward resolving the issue while ensuring the Community’s work continues uninterrupted.
Heads of Government also reaffirmed that the ongoing review of CARICOM’s governance architecture forms part of a broader mandate agreed at the previous Conference in St. Kitts and Nevis to strengthen the Community’s governance framework and improve institutional effectiveness.
They stressed that the review should not be interpreted as a reflection on the integrity of any member state or individual.
“The Heads of Government further underscored that this process does not impugn the integrity of any Member State or individual; rather it reflects the Community’s collective commitment to continuous institutional improvement with the highest standards of good governance,” the statement said.
The leaders concluded by reaffirming their commitment to regional unity and cooperation despite the challenges facing the Caribbean.
