CAYMAN ISLANDS – Across the length and breadth of the Caribbean our new leaders have consistently failed to emulate or even equal past leaders. These include Michael Manley, Eric Williams, Vere Bird, Eugenia Charles or the pinnacle, Alexander Bustamante. Speaking lastly of an icon who was imprisoned by the British for principle, not profit.
West Indian leaders are now more prone to find themselves being investigated. Not for a pro-independence movement, but for corruption, illicit enrichment, and immoral behavior.
The British Virgin Island
At about the same time that the British Virgin Islands had a prominent citizen appointed to the Privy Council it’s former premier Andrew Fahie was convicted and sentenced for conspiring to import cocaine while he was Premier in 2022.
Jamaica: Prime Minister Andrew Holness
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness saw his declared wealth rocket from J$350,000 to J$160 Million. This was without a full, complete and public explanation as to source and details of this economic miracle. He has now spent the last few years fighting the Integrity Commission. This happened without the simplest of remedies to go gospel with the voters in what has become a pivotal election year.
The Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands has seen a former premier convicted for assaulting a woman and is now facing extended proceedings for sexual assault. Curiously, the Cayman Islands, newly removed from the FATF grey list, will not allow copies of their Register of Interests of the political and other handmaidens. These form the backbone of their nearly billion-dollar economy. Unfortunately, they are not subject to oversight or verification.
Turks and Caicos Islands
The beleaguered Turks and Caicos Islands have been home to what has possibly become the longest Caribbean corruption inquiry involving a former premier arrested in 2012 with a British administered trial reaching only half point after starting in 2024.
Trinidad and Tobago
Perhaps a new model for the future can be found in the political crossfire of corruption allegations in Trinidad and Tobago. The Keith Rowley led government of Trinidad and Tobago passed a whistleblower bill to protect corruption fighters. A possible blowback saw Rowley himself being recently flagged in Antigua by authorities for unexplained reasons. This necessitated the intervention of Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
Roosevelt Skerrit: Dominica
No list would be complete without the Roosevelt Skerrit government of Dominica. This government became repeatedly involved in the corruption of economic passports. Furthermore, there was the diplomatic appointment of a fugitive as Ambassador to Malaysia. To further the decline of what has become the notorious Dominica passport, Prime Minister Skerrit now proposes to grant citizenship to displaced Palestinians.
Stellar Performance: Mia Mottley
Perhaps the answer lies in the stellar performance and example of Mia Mottley who leads the Caribbean’s newest republic of Barbados. Eloquently outspoken on the world stage, she would surely have been endorsed by her predecessor, Sir Grantley Adams.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness according to Oscar Wilde.
