Which Country Joined Caricom Last?

Which country joined CARICOM last?

Haiti did, on 2 July 2002

CARICOM isn’t just a trade bloc—it’s a single market uniting fifteen Caribbean nations and five associate members. Picture 470 million square kilometers of ocean, shared resources, and coordinated trade policies. The Secretariat sits in Georgetown, Guyana (6°48′N 58°10′W), which makes Guyana unique—it’s the only South American member and a key connector between Caribbean and mainland South American issues. In 2025, the bloc’s combined GDP topped US$120 billion, giving it real influence in climate talks, health policy, and trade deals across the hemisphere CARICOM Secretariat.

Quick Fact

Haiti joined CARICOM on 2 July 2002

How did CARICOM get started?

CARICOM was founded on 4 July 1973 by Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago via the Treaty of Chaguaramas

CARICOM’s story begins with the Treaty of Chaguaramas, signed on 4 July 1973 by Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago—now known as the four founding members. Back then, the goal was straightforward: replace the old Caribbean Free Trade Association with something stronger. That meant a common external tariff and coordinated foreign policy. Haiti’s 2002 membership was a game-changer—it was the first expansion since the 1990s and nudged CARICOM toward becoming more of a political union, complete with its own Caribbean Court of Justice. By 2026, intra-CARICOM trade had climbed to about 14% of total trade, up from just 7% in 2000, thanks largely to the 2006 Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas WTO CARICOM profile.

What’s the easiest way to travel around CARICOM in 2026?

Use the CARICOM Single Market travel card and fly via Piarco (POS) or Cheddi Jagan (GEO) airports

Start with the CARICOM Single Market travel card—most full members use it to simplify border crossings. If you’re from the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom, you’re in luck—no visa needed for up to 90 days Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Timing matters. December through April brings the driest weather across the islands, while hurricane season runs June to November, peaking in September NOAA hurricane education.

Fly into the big hubs—Piarco International Airport (POS) in Trinidad or Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) in Guyana—for the most connections to Miami, New York, and London.

Money’s another thing to plan for. Only eight members still print their own currencies; the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) covers eight OECS states, while Jamaica, Guyana, Belize, Suriname, and Haiti use their own national currencies.

Which countries are full members of CARICOM today?

Fifteen: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago

As of 2026, fifteen countries hold full membership: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

What are CARICOM’s associate members?

Five: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands

Five territories hold associate membership: Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands. They participate on a limited basis but still benefit from trade and cooperation agreements.

How big is CARICOM’s economy?

US$120 billion in combined GDP (2025)

In 2025, CARICOM’s combined GDP reached US$120 billion. That’s a lot of purchasing power packed into a group of small island states—impressive for a bloc this size.

Which CARICOM member has the largest land area?

Guyana, with 214,970 km²

Guyana is the giant of the group, covering 214,970 square kilometers. That’s far bigger than any other member—and it’s also the only South American country in CARICOM, giving it a unique geographic role GeoNames 2026.

Which CARICOM member is the smallest by area?

Saint Kitts and Nevis, with 261 km²

Saint Kitts and Nevis is the tiniest sovereign member, covering just 261 square kilometers CIA World Factbook 2026.

Where is CARICOM’s headquarters located?

Georgetown, Guyana (6°48′N 58°10′W)

The Secretariat sits in Georgetown, Guyana, at coordinates 6°48′N 58°10′W—right in the heart of the Caribbean’s only mainland member.

What’s the CARICOM Single Market travel card?

A simplified entry document used by most full members to move between countries without extra visas or paperwork

It’s a simplified entry document that most full members use to move between countries without extra visas or paperwork. Perfect for island-hopping Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Can U.S., Canadian, or U.K. passport holders visit CARICOM without a visa?

Yes—up to 90 days visa-free in most full member states

Yes—citizens from these countries can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in most full member states Caribbean Tourism Organization.

When is the best time to visit CARICOM?

December through April for driest weather; June–November is hurricane season

December through April offers the driest weather across most islands. Hurricane season runs June to November, with September as the peak month for storms NOAA hurricane education.

What are the main transport hubs in CARICOM?

Piarco International Airport (POS) in Trinidad and Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) in Guyana

Two airports dominate regional travel: Piarco International Airport (POS) in Trinidad and Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) in Guyana. Both offer direct flights to major U.S. and European hubs.

Which CARICOM members still issue their own currencies?

Jamaica, Guyana, Belize, Suriname, and Haiti issue their own national currencies

Eight members use the Eastern Caribbean dollar, while five—Jamaica, Guyana, Belize, Suriname, and Haiti—issue their own national currencies.

How much of CARICOM’s trade happens within the bloc?

About 14% of total trade by 2026

By 2026, about 14% of total trade flows between CARICOM members. That’s up from just 7% in 2000—a sign of stronger economic ties after the 2006 Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas WTO CARICOM profile.

What was the biggest expansion of CARICOM since the 1990s?

Haiti’s 2002 membership was the first major enlargement in decades

Haiti’s 2002 membership was the first major enlargement in decades. It pushed CARICOM toward deeper political integration and the creation of its own court system WTO CARICOM profile.