Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Suriname, Guyana and St Vincent and the Grenadines are among the larger CARICOM countries which will command the attention of the region as voters either choose to keep current governments in power or decide whether it’s time for a changing of the guard. 

   Many of these governments during their tenure would have contended with the effects of COVID-19, increasing gun violence and natural disasters coupled with the effects of climate change.

   Here are the Caribbean countries that will be holding General Elections in 2025: 

   Anguilla: While campaign launches are being prepared in the United Kingdom  overseas territory, an election date is yet to be announced. The ruling Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM) led by Premier Dr Ellis Webster is already looking to launch its campaign in January. General elections were last held in Anguilla on June 29, 2020.

   Belize: No date has been announced yet for Belize’s General Election which is constitutionally due in 2025. Prime Minister John Briceno continues to keep the date close to his chest. Over the past few months, Belize’s main opposition, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has been experiencing internal divisions with the High Court needed to resolve a leadership dispute between Shyne Barrow and Tracy Panton. Belize last went to the polls on November 11, 2020. 

   Bermuda, which is a self-governing British Overseas Territory, and an Associate Member of CARICOM, will hold its election on February 18, 2025  following a bombshell announcement on the night of January 8, 2025, from Bermuda Premier and leader of the Progressive Labour Party (PLP), David Burt. The last election in Bermuda was held on August 21, 2020. 

   Curacao: Over 110,000 residents in Curacao are eligible to vote in the March 21 Parliamentary elections. Candidate lists are being finalised for February 7. Notably, Curacao recently became an Associate Member of CARICOM under the leadership of Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas. In late November 2024, the coalition government escaped challenges and was able to hold on to its majority in Parliament. The country held its last Parliamentary elections on March 19, 2021.

   Guyana: An official date has not been announced for Guyana’s General Election; however, there have been some hints, as according to a local media report, Vice President Bharat Jagdeo disclosed the next General Election will likely be held in November 2025. The last time the country went to the polls was on March 2, 2020, with President Irfaan Ali emerging the victor.

   Jamaica: No date has been announced for Jamaica’s General Election which has seen the People’s National Party (PNP) and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) charging up for when the date is dropped. At the JLP’s last party convention, the message was clear that a third consecutive term is being sought. Jamaica’s last General Election was held on September 3, 2020. 

   St Vincent and the Grenadines: No election date has been announced yet but the General Election in St Vincent and the Grenadines will be one to watch as Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, 78, was recently re-elected unopposed as the ruling Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) political leader. The ULP is seeking a historic sixth term in office unless the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) can break its long run.  SVG’s last General Election was held on November 5, 2020. 

   Suriname: Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, Suriname, was placed on notice by President Chandrikapersad Santokhi last year that they will be going to the polls on May 25, 2025. In 2023, Suriname’s parliament amended the electoral law so elections will be held based on national proportionality instead of the district system. Suriname’s last election was held on May 25, 2020. 

   Trinidad and Tobago: As Trinbagonians await an election date there has been a major political shakeup in the twin-island Republic as Prime Minister Keith Rowley, who is the political leader of the ruling PNM, confirmed he would not be offering himself up for reelection and in fact plans to resign before his term as Prime Minister comes to an end.  It was then announced that Energy Minister Stuart Young was selected by the PNM Parliamentary Caucus to serve as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago once Dr Keith Rowley resigns his position. T&T’s last general election was held on August 10, 2020.

Turks and Caicos Islands: An estimated 10,000 people are registered to vote in the British Overseas Territory after the election bell was rung for voters to go to the polls on February 7, 2025. This election will be historic, as it will be the first five-year parliamentary term instead of four.The Progressive National Party (PNP) is seeking to remain in office. The TCI held its last general election on February 19, 2021. 

LOOP NEWS: launched in April 2014 and quickly grew to have teams in six markets across the Caribbean: Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Haiti, Cayman and St Lucia. And in 2020 we launched the newest website in the Loop family – Loop Caribbean!