In March, CARICOM put out a statement which read in part: “The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is making strides in regional integration, as leaders push forward with plans for free movement, treaty amendments, and deeper international cooperation.”
Further, the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government held in Barbados February 19-21 reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to unity and sustainable development amid global uncertainties.
According to the statement, one of the most notable outcomes of the meeting was the decision to finalise plans for the free movement of CARICOM nationals by June 1 for willing countries.
“With respect to the free movement of people, the Conference agreed that Member States that have not yet done so should sign and ratify the Protocol on Enhanced Cooperation by 31 March to enable Member States that are willing to move ahead with free movement to do so by 1 June 2025,” said the final communique.
Here is what then chair of CARICOM, Roosevelt Skerrit, the prime minister of Dominica, said after a similar communique in 2023: “We believe that this is a fundamental part of the integration architecture, and at 50, we could not leave Trinidad and Tobago and not speak about the core of the regional integration movement, that is, people’s ability to move freely within the Caribbean Community. I think we would have served and we have served the Community well at this meeting by arriving at that decision and we hope to see that it is implemented by 30 March, 2024.”
The idea of advancing the free movement of people within CARICOM, through discussions and the signing of agreements, has been underway for over a decade. So, what’s really holding up the process?
At various points, leaders have suggested that a CARICOM national should be able to travel within the region using just an ID card or a single CARICOM passport. Yet, none seem to have the political will to turn this elusive dream into reality. In fact, one could argue that some regional leaders have, in certain cases, made intra-regional travel even more difficult.
Compounding the issue are lingering prejudices and insular attitudes toward nationals of some countries when they arrive at regional ports. Travelling within the Caribbean has not only become prohibitively expensive but also physically gruelling. Moving from the north to the south (or vice versa) can be more time-consuming than flying to Miami or New York. In many cases, getting from Trinidad to Antigua takes longer and is more complicated than reaching the US.
Then there’s the matter of cost. Flying from Saint Lucia to New York is sometimes cheaper than flying to Barbados. While some governments blame fuel prices, a closer look reveals the truth: exorbitant taxes, which vary from one country to another, are largely responsible. Put simply, CARICOM can’t seem to agree on a standardised regional travel tax.
As a result, moving between islands remains a complex and costly ordeal that hinders deeper integration through tourism, business, trade and education. So how can we genuinely participate in the regional integration CARICOM leaders claim to support when their actions (or inaction) make it so difficult to visit our neighbours?
The CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA), intended to improve regional air connectivity, has been signed by some member states. Yet full implementation remains pending. Instead, many CARICOM countries focus on developing their own airports, competing to become international hubs while neglecting inter-island travel. Some leaders have proposed ferry services as an alternative, but that, too, remains a distant hope.
June 1 is the date CARICOM leaders have set for the free movement process to begin. Coincidentally, it’s also the start of hurricane season. One of these events is within our leaders’ control and could significantly improve the lives of Caribbean people if they follow through. The other brings fear and anxiety, which come to think of it, is much like the repetitive promise that we are getting closer to regional integration.
The dream continues.
Nice peice. Dislocore the writer.