By: Capil Bissoon
November 6, 2026
TT must stop taking embarrassingly unpopular positions on the global stage. These include our postures on the Cuban embargo. Reversal of our principled stance on the ICC. Our non-support of the Caribbean Sea as a zone of peace. Our “in your face” utterances on the SG of CARICOM. Our seemingly uncritical support for Netanyahu’s Israel, even when the world has concerns. Our reported involvement in the domestic affairs of Venezuela by allegedly participating in the removal of its leader. Our possible co-conspiratorial role in alleged extra-judicial killing in Caribbean waters. Our decision to host a US military radar. A reported decision to accept large-scaled AI Data Centers. Our criticisms of Democrats in the US (now on the ascendancy) accusing them of being “too far left and woke”.
The list goes on and on, inspired by seemingly uncritical support for an unpopular President Trump.
Absent a course correction, we may well find ourselves isolated on the global stage, largely ignored, and possibly a pariah state.
We cannot continue forever to side with the minority at the UN, in CARICOM and other global fora.
On the Cuban embargo we sided with 17 countries which abstained. Not the 130 in favor.
On the ICC Resolution (a body we birthed), we voted with the 36 countries abstaining rather than the 93 in favor. Embarrassing for TT’s Madame Justice Althea Alexis- Windsor, now sitting on the ICC bench.
In CARICOM we singularly raised issues with the election of its SG and on the Caribbean Sea being a Zone of Peace. To what avail?
Is it because of Trumpism? This was overwhelmingly rejected in the mid-terms last evening by the majority of Americans, and separately by over 76% of adults worldwide, according to the Pew Research Centre Global Attitudes Survey?
We are now aligned with a most unpopular US administration. Newsweek reports a “shifting global landscape, highlighting setbacks and rejection of figures and policies associated with Trumpism”.
Congressional investigations may reveal our roles in Maduro’s removal and in alleged extra-judicial killings in Caribbean waters.
We may find ourselves (not only in the global media) but also before the ICC (given our utterances and actions) as a co-conspirator for extra-judicial killings.
Confirmation of the new US ambassador to TT may encounter setbacks.
Notwithstanding diplomatic niceties, we may get “couyou mouth” behind our backs at diplomatic fora.
My advice? Get legal advice asap on how to deal with the ICC – if issues arise. Former President Anthony Carmona who sat as a judge on the bench seems eminently qualified to so do. Not some expensive King’s Counsel. Get PR advice on how to handle set backs resulting from Congressional hearings. Do damage control with Democrats through off ramp and other diplomatic initiatives.
Set up a group of professionals, here and abroad, and involve bodies like UWI to help develop well thought out policies (which could become the basis for Green Papers) on various foreign policy challenges. Discuss these in caucus, with the wider public, and in parliament. Let the entire country “reason together” on foreign policy issues.
Keep citizens fully apprised on the logic behind foreign policy decisions. We must not be blindsided by strange decisions seemingly out of the blue and by vaps.
Lastly, disengage from Trumpism immediately and diplomatically. The sooner the better.
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