Although he did not place blame on any specific Caribbean leader, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says that in his opinion, lack of leadership is holding back Caribbean Community (Caricom) integration.

The local PM said that in his opinion, the problem lies with the political directorate within the 15-member regional grouping, while adding that there is a need for serious leadership in CARICOM.

The PM thinks that CARICOM still has a lot to learn and that it can start by looking at the progress being made by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States which recently signed the Revised Treaty of Basseterre which established an Economic Union.

CARICOM countries have been working towards a fully-functional Single Market and Economy (CSME) by the year 2015 but have suffered several setbacks as they move towards that goal.