Letter of the Day | Jamaica should lead to unite the Caribbean

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Prime Minister of Jamaica, Dr. Andrew Holness, noted in his speech before the CARICOM body in February 2026 that he believed the idea of ‘Political Uniformity’ among the CARICOM member states to be an unrealistic one, which should be abandoned in favour of more practical objectives. However, it is this talk that has been at the source of many of Jamaica’s problems since its independence, dating all the way back to the 1961 referendum on the island’s membership in the West Indies Federation.

What the prime minister seemingly neglects to understand is that this thought process is the product of years of outside domination and exploitation, first through the overt influence of the British Empire and more recently by the soft power of the United States of America. This strategy is a classic Imperialist tactic.

In response, we should unite as a Caribbean region in our global presentation. Not just for strength, but to showcase to the wider world that we are one regardless of race, gender or language. The prime minister advocates for “practical objectives,” but what could be more practical than using collective bargaining power in international negotiations? A divided Caribbean is weaker in a time of climate crises, unstable global supply chains, and the need for cohesive bargaining stances on everything from international financing to pharmaceutical pricing. The idea that we can successfully negotiate these choppy waters on our own is a remnant of the colonial mindset that taught us to view our neighbours as competitors for the remainders of greater empires rather than a sign of strength.

Given this situation, rather than giving up on the goal of deeper integration, we ought to now pursue it with more discernment and learn from our mistakes instead of exploiting them as a justification for ongoing division. The issue at hand is not whether political homogeneity can be attained quickly but rather whether we will continue to let nationalism’s narrow-minded politics separate us as the world shifts toward more expansive economic blocs and collective security agreements such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

Jamaica should lead toward a more practical, resilient, and independent Caribbean future.

NATHAN ROPER

KECIA BUCHANAN

Students of Northern

Caribbean University