PM Withdraws From CHOGM; Sobers to Represent T&T

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The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is taking place in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, from 1 to 4 November. The Commonwealth identifies investment, climate resilience and cooperation among the gathering’s priorities.

Sources: Commonwealth, CHOGM 2026 ↗

In a statement carried by TTT on Monday 2 November, the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar would depart later that day to lead Trinidad and Tobago’s delegation. The programme includes executive sessions, the Commonwealth Business Forum and the heads-of-government retreat.

Sources: Foreign Ministry statement via TTT, 2 Nov, 11:25 a.m. Trinidad time ↗

The ministry also announced bilateral and CARICOM–Canada engagements. These are scheduled discussions, rather than completed agreements or confirmed investment commitments.

Sources: Foreign Ministry statement via TTT, 2 Nov, 11:25 a.m. Trinidad time ↗

IzzSo separately reported that Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John would act as Prime Minister during the absence, attributing the travel plans to the Prime Minister’s remarks at a Divali event. The material reviewed does not establish a return date or confirm her departure.

Sources: IzzSo, 2 Nov, 12:15 p.m. Trinidad time ↗

Later on Monday, CNC3 and IzzSo reported an Office of the Prime Minister statement saying Kamla Persad-Bissessar would not attend CHOGM as previously announced. Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Sean Sobers will represent Trinidad and Tobago. Neither report supplies a reason for the change. This supersedes the earlier attendance plan; it does not establish that the Prime Minister travelled or completed any of the planned engagements.

Sources: CNC3, 2 Nov, 5:31 p.m. Trinidad time ↗ · IzzSo, 2 Nov, 4:41 p.m. Trinidad time ↗

Guardian Media reported on Monday night that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar answered its question about the withdrawal by saying she had come down with a bad case of flu. The earlier official notices gave no reason. Her reported message supplies her explanation; it does not independently establish a diagnosis, a recovery timetable or the outcome of any planned meetings. Sean Sobers remains the announced representative.

Sources: Guardian Media via CNC3, 2 Nov, 8:50 p.m. Trinidad time ↗

On Tuesday 3 November, CNC3 reported that personnel of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment had been deployed to Antigua and Barbuda to assist its Defence Force with CHOGM security. This is a separate regional security contribution, not evidence that the Prime Minister attended or that any planned diplomatic agreement was completed. An original deployment statement was not obtained in the material reviewed.

Sources: CNC3, 3 Nov, 3:13 p.m. Trinidad time ↗