T&T – Prime Minister Denies Claims UNC Is Backing Barbados DLP

2026-02-10 - 13:08

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has firmly rejected claims that Trinidad and Tobago’s United National Congress (UNC) is attempting to influence Barbados’ general election scheduled for Wednesday, February 11. Her denial follows remarks by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley that appeared to suggest links between the opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and political forces outside the country. Mottley raised questions about the DLP’s recent use of the phrase “yellow is the code,” a slogan widely associated with the UNC. Speaking at a Barbados Labour Party (BLP) political meeting on February 5 at Tweedside Road in St Michael, Mottley referenced a recent interview given by DLP leader Ralph Thorne on Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT). “You find yourself on Trinidad and Tobago Television, TTT, telling people about yellow. Yellow is the code, yellow is the code. I tell you yellow is the curse,” Mottley said. She went on to question the meaning behind the phrase, suggesting it could imply financial or political backing from outside Barbados. “And what is that really a code for? Is it a code for campaign financing? Is it a code for who is supporting your party financially?” she asked. “Because if that is the case, then Errol Walton Barrow should now be rolling in a watery grave to believe that anybody leading the Democratic Liberal Party would want to make that party a subsidiary of another political entity in the Caribbean.” The DLP’s logo features a deep royal blue background accented with yellow and gold elements. Mottley also invoked the legacy of Barbados’ first prime minister, Errol Barrow, noting his close alliances with former Trinidad and Tobago leaders Dr Eric Williams and George Chambers. “I have stood shoulder to shoulder with Keith Rowley and the same Kamla Persad-Bissessar,” Mottley said. “But you can’t tell me that the Labour Party is going to be subservient to any of them. That is what Ralph Thorne is doing.” Guardian Media subsequently contacted Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, who categorically denied any involvement by the UNC in Barbados’ electoral process. “We believe in a democratic process. We are not supporting any party,” she said on Friday. At the time, Persad-Bissessar noted that she was unable to comment further on Mottley’s remarks, explaining that she had been in Parliament and had not heard the full context of the statements. Guardian Media also sought comment from Minister Barry Padarath, who reiterated the UNC’s position and cautioned against drawing inferences about regional interference. “I want to issue caution to our Caribbean colleagues with respect to using that sort of inference,” Padarath said. “The United National Congress has said both publicly and privately that we do not interfere in the elections of any other sovereign nation, and we hold true to that. Obviously, many party colours across the Caribbean and other parts of the world are quite similar.” This is not the first time the UNC has faced allegations of regional election interference. In 2025, former St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves accused financiers linked to the UNC of funding the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) ahead of that country’s November 27 general election. Gonsalves alleged that UNC operatives were present in St Vincent and motivated by potential access to land and economic opportunities should the opposition win. He also claimed that Trinidadian entertainers were hired to provide campaign-related support for the NDP, including John Michael Alibocas, also known as Makamillion, who is a UNC local government councillor. When asked whether Alibocas or others would be present in Barbados ahead of Wednesday’s election, Padarath said entertainers should not be conflated with political operatives. “Most of the persons you’ve spoken about came from the entertainment fraternity before entering politics,” he said. “They have every right to perform if they are hired to do so, but they do not speak or sing on behalf of the United National Congress in support of one political party over another in a sovereign nation.” Asked if he had a message for Prime Minister Mottley, Padarath responded, “Let your heart not be troubled, honourable Prime Minister. The will of the people of Barbados will be done. We respect the democratic process and the sovereignty of Barbados. We have no intention of interfering in Barbados’ election.” Guardian Media also reached out to DLP leader Ralph Thorne for comment. He indicated that he was in a meeting and would respond at a later time. No response has been received as of publication.