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Mar 24, 2026 
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Region must guard its peace, former heads of government say
Region must guard its peace, former heads of government say
From Left Former PM of Jamaica P.J. Patterson (Credit: Global Leadership Foundation), Former President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar (Credit: PPP/C), Former PM of Barbados Freundel Stuart (Credit: The Report Company)
Ten former Caribbean heads of government have called on regional states to maintain the Caribbean as a “zone of peace” where the rule of law prevails, expressing concern over increasing military activity and the presence of nuclear-capable vessels and aircraft in the region.
In a statement shared with Ignite News, the former leaders, including Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda, Said Musa and Dean Barrow of Belize, Freundel Stuart of Barbados, Edison James of Dominica, Tillson Thomas of Grenada, Donald Ramotar of Guyana, Bruce Golding and P.J. Patterson of Jamaica, and Kenny Anthony of St. Lucia, warned that heightened militarisation could undermine peace, stability, and development.
“When the Caribbean Leaders gathered at Chaguaramas in 1972, it was accepted that peace was a dominant factor in shaping the social and political framework for Caribbean development,” the statement said.
The former leaders emphasised that the region’s sovereignty and security depend on adherence to international law and multilateral agreements. They highlighted CARICOM’s longstanding stance that disputes should be resolved through negotiation and dialogue, consistent with the United Nations Charter.
They specifically referenced agreements such as the Shiprider Agreement with the United States, designed to allow regional authorities to track and apprehend illicit drug traffickers while respecting due process and avoiding extrajudicial actions.
“The safety and security of the Caribbean Sea and the territorial integrity of our small states are of inestimable value,” the statement said, noting the sea’s importance for trade, tourism, fishing, and the movement of people and goods.
The former leaders urged current CARICOM governments to use dialogue and diplomacy to address conflicts, warning that external military intervention or escalation could imperil citizens, economic activity, and regional stability.
“Preserving our Caribbean space as an established Zone of Peace is for us a vital imperative. Our shared history and common interests demand Oneness. We have gone too far to turn back now,” the statement concluded.
