CARICOM to monitor General Elections in Trinidad & Tobago

The Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat has accepted an invitation from the government of Trinidad & Tobago to deploy election observers for the country’s upcoming general elections, anticipated in August 2025.

In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) of Trinidad & Tobago announced that CARICOM Secretary-General, Carla Barnett, had formally accepted the invitation extended by Prime Minister Keith Rowley. This follows Rowley’s December 9, 2024, pledge to invite CARICOM observers whenever the election was called.

The OPM confirmed that official correspondence was sent to the CARICOM Secretariat on December 11, 2024. In her response dated January 13, 2025, Dr. Barnett expressed the Secretariat’s readiness to facilitate the necessary arrangements for deploying an election observation mission once further details regarding the election schedule are provided.

“The CARICOM Secretariat is honored to support the government of the republic of Trinidad & Tobago, as well as other member states holding elections in 2025, in upholding democracy, the rule of law, and good governance within the region. We remain committed to performing this role to the best of our abilities,” she stated.

The OPM reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving Trinidad & Tobago’s tradition of free, fair, and transparent elections and welcomed CARICOM’s decision to observe the process.

The main opposition party, the United National Congress (UNC), has also called for the inclusion of foreign observers in the upcoming election.

Trinidad & Tobago’s ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) is concluding its second consecutive term in office, which officially ends in August 2025. However, speculation suggests that elections may be called earlier, particularly as Stuart Young, the Minister of Energy and the expected successor to Prime Minister Rowley in March, may seek a fresh mandate from the electorate.