Last week, the US Department of State released a list of countries for which the processing of immigrant visas will be suspended. Seventy-five countries appear on that list. Included is every full member of the Caribbean Community except Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname. This measure does not prevent citizens of those countries from visiting the United States.

However, it does represent a clear downgrading of their favourability status in the eyes of the US government. Whether you agree with or oppose the policy of the administration of the US president is beside the point. The reality is that this shift has occurred, and Bermuda must now carefully and pragmatically assess its implications.

Trinidad and Tobago’s exclusion from the list is not difficult to understand. It has maintained close co-operation with the United States on regional security and energy matters, including access to its ports for US naval vessels.

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Guyana’s omission is even more straightforward. Its oil sector is being developed by ExxonMobil, a massive American oil company, placing Guyana firmly within Washington’s strategic and economic interests.

As for Suriname, it would appear the US Government is satisfied with its functional compliance with US expectations and requirements.

What is equally striking is that Bermuda does not appear on this list. That fact underscores an important point. Bermuda is already regarded differently, and more favourably, than most of our Caribbean neighbours. This standing has been earned through decades of sound governance, regulatory credibility, and the careful maintenance of strong bilateral relationships.

It is against this backdrop that the government’s pursuit of full Caricom membership must continue to be carefully evaluated.

The question is not whether regional co-operation has value. Co-operation always normally has merit. The question is whether full membership in a bloc whose members have just been collectively downgraded by our most important economic partner serves Bermuda’s best interests at this time.

The US is overwhelmingly Bermuda’s largest and most consequential economic relationship. International business, financial services, tourism, aviation links and of course the Bermuda reinsurance market are all deeply linked to US policy, perception, and goodwill. Any step that risks diluting Bermuda’s distinct and favourable standing must therefore be approached with extreme caution. With continued uncertainty in the global order, it is our duty to be vigilant in protecting advantages that directly support Bermuda jobs, investment, and economic stability. Such core national interests deserve full transparency and rigorous debate.

The OBA is committed to ensuring that any decision involving Caricom is subjected to thorough scrutiny. Bermudians deserve clear answers about how such a move would affect our international standing, our relationship with the United States, and our long-term economic prospects.

The fact is, Bermuda has prospered by understanding its unique position in the world and by acting with strategic discipline rather than ideological impulse. As Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, I will continue to advocate for policies that safeguard Bermuda’s international reputation, protect our economic interests, and reflect prudent, responsible governance, including pushing for a referendum on Caricom. Full Caricom membership is not a decision to be rushed, nor one to be taken lightly. The stakes for Bermuda’s future are simply too high.

Let me be very clear. This is not an argument against regional co-operation. Bermuda already cooperates effectively with our Caribbean neighbours on a range of issues. Nor is it a rejection of shared history or cultural ties. The question is narrower and more serious. Does full membership in a regional bloc, whose members have just been collectively downgraded by our most important economic partner, enhance or weaken Bermuda’s strategic position? Sometimes perception is everything.

∙ Michael Fahy is the Shadow Minister of Home Affairs and the One Bermuda Alliance MP for Pembroke South West