The geography of pettiness

Apr 09, 2025 Peeping Tom

---

Kaieteur News – You have to admire the commitment. Not to international diplomacy, mind you, but to the art of the grudge.

Last Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, a man of formidable memory and seemingly boundless energy when it comes to old political quarrels, took to the podium—not for a press conference, but what can only be described as a full-blown press tantrum. In the process, he let loose an outburst that almost led to a diplomatic incident. In fact, it could have almost led to diplomatic crockery being flung across the CARICOM dinner table.

The cause of his outburst? AZMO. Yes, AZMO, that political irritant whose mere movements seem to disrupt the Vice President’s circadian rhythm. AZMO, who allegedly made the grave, world-altering decision to travel to Barbados. Yes, Barbados—the island paradise with white sand, blue waters, a thriving tourism economy, and, at present, the Chairmanship of CARICOM.

But to hear Jagdeo tell it, Barbados might as well be a bus stop with a coconut tree. “You have to be really desperate,” he said, in a tone that suggested AZMO had just announced plans to backpack through Chernobyl, “to post your picture in Barbados to say ‘look, I am travelling now.’”

Ah yes, Barbados. The very same country that birthed Rihanna and rum, that hosted Errol Barrow and Owen Arthur, and now suffers the indignity of being dismissed as a third-rate vacation spot because AZMO might’ve had a flying fish sandwich on the boardwalk. One can only assume that Jagdeo prefers destinations that scream power and prestige—perhaps Dubai, Davos, Paris or the Black Sea. One wonders, if Barbados is a “nothing” destination, what would make the cut on Jagdeo’s List of Globally Significant Locations?

Of course, if AZMO had travelled to Paris, Jagdeo might’ve quipped, “You have to be really desperate to pose in front of the Eiffel Tower. I mean, what’s it even doing there? It’s just metal scaffolding.” It’s not every day that a sitting Vice President accidentally insults a fellow CARICOM State while attempting to shade a domestic political rival. That takes a rare combination of tunnel vision and foot-in-mouth agility.

The problem isn’t just the dig at Barbados. It’s that this diplomatic oopsie comes at a time when the Caribbean actually needs solidarity, not snark. You see, while Jagdeo is out here throwing shade, the Donald Trump administration is throwing tariffs. Caribbean States are being economically squeezed like limes on a beach cocktail, and now is the time for strategic unity, not petty geography. Meanwhile, in Guyana, we’ve now entered a zone where political rivalry has turned pathological. It’s like watching a soap opera where the main character refuses to exit the stage, even after the lights go off and the audience leaves. And somehow, in his attempt to belittle AZMO, Jagdeo managed to belittle Barbados. Not a small feat. Not a small feat at all!

Meanwhile, in Bridgetown, a few brows were raised, some murmurs exchanged. Politicians, diplomats, and Bajans on the street—who likely weren’t even tracking the AZMO-Jagdeo saga—suddenly found themselves involved, thanks to one Vice President’s verbal spill.

And the reason has not been pleasant. It has led to some bad-mouthing on TikTok of both the Vice President and Guyana. And why do they always have to remind us about the blackouts? One fellow said we get blackouts more often than we blink. It’s at this point you wish someone in Freedom House had gently whispered, “Sir, maybe let this one go. Just this once. Maybe talk about renewable energy. Or mangoes. Or literally anything that doesn’t cause regional dismay.”

Because the real issue isn’t just what was said, it’s the narrow-mindedness that comes with letting personal vendettas cloud national responsibility. When your obsession with a political rival is so consuming that it compromises diplomacy, you might want to take a sabbatical. Or a cruise to—you guessed it—Barbados. They say the sea breeze there clears the mind. Ultimately, there’s a time and place for political jabs. But maybe, just maybe, not when the jab lands on the chin of an entire CARICOM State. Not when regional unity is crucial. Not when you’re supposed to be a statesman, not behaving like someone holding a grudge. So next time, Mr. Vice President, if you must insult someone, try keeping it within borders. Or better yet, take a break. Book a flight. Destination: Humility. And hey, Barbados is lovely this time of year.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

 

---

• AZMO, CARICOM, Chernobyl, TikTok, Vice President

---