Patterson and Golding among former PMs concerned about US military action in Caribbean region
Published:Thursday | October 23, 2025 | 10:05 PM
Former prime ministers P.J. Patterson and Bruce Golding are among a group of ex-heads of government in the Caribbean who have expressed concern about the military build-up of the United States in the region, urging a pull-back to avoid any undermining of peace, stability, and development in the space.
In a joint statement, the former PMs said that they felt a need to make public their apprehension about the increased military security build-up and the presence of nuclear vessels and aircraft within the Caribbean archipelago, arguing that this has the potential to pull the region into conflicts that are not of its making.
The other leaders are Baldwin Spencer from Antigua and Barbuda; Belize’s Said Musa and Dean Barrow; Freundel Stuart of Barbados; Dominica’s Edison James; Grenada’s Tilman Thomas; Donald Ramotar of Guyana; and Kenny Anthony of St Lucia.
The former leaders stated that having a zone of peace has long been a cornerstone in the architecture of Caribbean sovereignty and the axis of the region’s relationship with countries in the hemisphere, Europe, and the wider world.
“Our region has maintained that established international law and conventions, rather than war and military might, should prevail in finding solutions to seemingly intractable problems,” the statement read.
It said that throughout the years, Caribbean nations have espoused and practised the fundamental premise of the United Nations Charter that “all disputes can and must be resolved through negotiations and dialogue.”
In noting their grave concern, the former leaders asserted that the pillars of the Caribbean as a zone of peace — the unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations in the community; respect for the global order where international law prevails; and the belief that conflicts or disputes should be settled by diplomatic engagement and dialogue — which were recently reaffirmed by present leaders, still constitute the fundamental tenets of the region.
“We urge adherence to this exercise of our collective sovereignty to avoid endangering our citizens in any crossfire or suffering collateral damage and economic harm,” the statement said, adding that the safety and security of the Caribbean Sea and the territorial integrity of small states are of inestimable value.
The former leaders said that of immediate relevance and overarching significance is the shiprider agreement with the United States, which was concluded after intense and delicate negotiations.
“During 52 years of its existence, leaders of our community have never wavered in their total commitment to the rule of law and reliance on the provisions of the UN Charter, which forbid ‘the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,’” they said.
The statement from the former leaders comes in light of the recent blowing up of vessels in the Caribbean region by the US, which America said was being done because the vessels were transporting drugs.
The former leaders said that preserving the Caribbean space as an established “zone of peace” is, for them, a vital imperative.
“The gravity of present signals demands that we use all existing channels for dialogue to perpetuate a Zone of Peace on the edifice of respect for our sovereignty, international conventions, and the rule of law. We therefore fully support the preparedness of our leaders of the Caribbean Community to assist in resolving all conflicts and disputes by constructive dialogue. We therefore fully support the preparedness of the leaders of the Caribbean Community to ‘assist in the peaceful resolution of all conflicts and disputes’ to maintain the rule of law and strengthen security within our region in the spirit of the friendly relations that exist between the community and their hemispheric neighbours.”
“Our shared history and common interest demand oneness,” they said.
- Lester Hinds
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