CARICOM leaders extend their condolences on demise of Basdeo Panday

CARICOM mourns the demise of the Former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Basdeo Panday. The Caribbean Community extended their support and condolences to the government and people residing in the island nation.

The Caribbean community highlighted the contributions made by the former PM for more than fifty years. While emphasizing on his work, CARICOM representatives stated that Basdeo Pandey always tried his best to improve the lives of citizens by ensuring the social and economic stability of the nation.

CARICOM also shed light on the vital changes noticed by the island nation under the leadership of Basdeo Pandey. They focused on the agreement signed by Trinidad and Tobago with the Community, which established the seat of the Caribbean Court of Justice and the offices of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission in the nation.

Basdeo Pandey was a man who interacted frequently with world leaders and well-renowned personalities but remained grounded and never severed the connection he had with those at the grassroots level. CARICOM recognised the diligent work and unwavering dedication of the man towards his country, who led his nation towards various developments.

Moreover, it was also added by the Caribbean Community that “it was under Basdeo Panday’s chairmanship of the Community that the Parliamentary opposition was granted the recognition within the CARICOM structure, which was recorded in the Consensus of Chaguaramas and was agreed at the Seventh special meeting of the conference of heads of Government.”

Notably, the Chairman of the Caribbean Community and the President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali signed a book of condolences for the former Prime Minister. Basdeo Panday lost his life on 1 January 2024 at the age of 90 at a hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.

Basdeo Pandey was the fifth Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago who served his duties from 1995 to 2001 with the utmost loyalty.

Therefore, the Caribbean Community paid tribute to the former PM at his funeral held on 9 January and extended condolences to the family, friends, relatives and all the people of Trinidad and Tobago.