A simmering internal power struggle within Trinidad and Tobago’s ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) has erupted into public view, centered around a 2019 $187,000 U.S. dollar luxury condominium purchase in Broward County, Florida, that has ties to San Fernando East Member of Parliament Brian Manning. The undeclared property is one of several American real estate holdings at the heart of a bitter fallout between Manning and former members of the PNM’s San Fernando East constituency executive, a conflict that has already led to the full resignation of the local party board.
The explosive details came to light after Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, dropped hints about damning documents in his possession during a press interaction on Tuesday at the opening of the Princes Town Fire Station. Speaking to reporters, Alexander stopped short of releasing the full contents of the paperwork or naming its source, but confirmed the documents detail what he called shocking allegations of corruption linked to misused public funds. Local broadcaster TV6 News has since confirmed it has obtained independent copies of the ownership records confirming the Florida purchase, which was tied to the constituency conflict.
Alexander, who has clarified he did not receive the documents directly from Manning, told reporters that any credible allegation of public sector corruption deserves a full law enforcement probe. “Any place where corruption raises its ugly head should be investigated because it’s public funds,” Alexander stressed, adding that the content of the documents left him stunned. “I have some documents in my possession that I have seen. It is amazing that someone can move from the outhouse to the White House. That is all I can say.” When pressed for additional details by reporters, he only reiterated, “I have seen things. I am amazed.” Sources close to the matter have confirmed the documents were passed to Alexander by an anonymous whistleblower in recent weeks, and the minister noted that police can launch an investigation if the allegations gain enough traction, either via an official complaint or through public attention.
The internal conflict that led to this revelation began last week, when Manning publicly raised governance concerns about constituency executive chairperson Patricia Alexis in a post on his Facebook page. The confrontation quickly escalated, resulting in the entire 20-plus member San Fernando East constituency executive submitting their resignations, which took effect at 4 p.m. on Monday. The mass exit clears the way for national PNM leadership to restructure the constituency amid growing internal tensions.
In a joint statement released on behalf of the departing executive, Alexis explained the decision came after a Sunday meeting with top PNM national leaders, which was held to address ongoing local disputes and review findings from an investigation commissioned by the PNM General Council. The statement confirmed Manning was invited to participate in the meeting but declined to attend, leaving him out of the final negotiations that led to the resignations.
The outgoing executive framed its mass departure as a move made in the best interest of the national party, noting that it would allow PNM leadership to put in place interim governing arrangements, oversee internal party group elections, and facilitate the selection of a fully new constituency executive. Outgoing members have also pledged to fully cooperate with the transition process and a independent verification exercise stemming from the earlier investigation’s recommendations, including turning over all required financial and administrative documents.
The escalating public conflict has drawn a sharp rebuke from national PNM chairman Marvin Gonzales, who used a Monday press conference to publicly warn Manning that airing internal party disputes in public is a reckless move. “He is going down a very dangerous path,” Gonzales stated, marking a rare public split between national party leadership and a sitting party MP.