WHILE Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar smiled for photographs and exchanged pleasantries with Caricom Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett in St Lucia, the Prime Minister remains steadfast in her position that Barnett’s reappointment was unconstitutional and should be referred to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for an advisory opinion.

Persad-Bissessar arrived in St Lucia on Sunday for the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom. She missed Barnett’s address because of “logistical issues” but was present for the official group photographs and was seen in video clips chatting with Barnett and fellow Caricom leaders, including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley. The Express understands that Persad-Bissessar intended to formally raise the matter during yesterday’s Caricom leaders’ retreat.

Ahead of the summit, the Prime Minister sent a 22-page letter, dated July 3, to Caricom Chairman and Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, as well as all Heads of Government and Heads of State. In the letter, she outlined what she described as serious procedural and constitutional flaws surrounding Barnett’s purported second term and proposed a series of interim measures while the CCJ considers the matter.