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Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has issued a firm statement asserting that the twin-island nation has placed itself on a positive developmental trajectory, reversing 10 years of economic mismanagement and instability under the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) administration. Her remarks came in response to questions from the Express in the wake of the International Monetary Fund’s completion of its 2026 Article IV consultation with the Caribbean nation, a routine assessment that delivered a glowing review of the current government’s policy agenda. For Persad-Bissessar, the IMF’s positive assessment is far more than a third-party review—it is a powerful, independent validation of her administration’s leadership, cautious fiscal stewardship, and relentless commitment to rebuilding the country after a decade of sustained economic decline. She framed the PNM’s tenure as a prolonged period of “doom and gloom” that her government has begun to reverse, urging Trinidad and Tobago’s citizens to maintain patience and hope as pro-growth policies are rolled out to drive long-term national progress. The successful conclusion of the IMF consultation, the prime minister emphasized, confirms the country is once again “moving in the right direction” and has restored its standing and credibility among the global community. Under her leadership, Persad-Bissessar noted, the nation has transitioned from a phase of steady economic deterioration inherited from the PNM to a new era focused on reconstruction, systemic transformation, and renewed forward momentum. The IMF’s report explicitly highlighted a series of tangible achievements the current administration has delivered in just over one year in office: contained, low inflation, a stable and sufficiently capitalized domestic banking sector, a robust external financial position, and healthy international reserves backed by the country’s Heritage and Stabilisation Fund. Persad-Bissessar stressed that these wins carry even greater weight given the severe economic challenges her government inherited when it took office, including dwindling foreign currency reserves, rapidly growing national debt, eroded fiscal buffers, and years of unaddressed fiscal mismanagement. From the first days of her administration, she explained, leaders have taken bold, accountable action to stabilize the national economy, rebuild trust among international and domestic investors, and roll out evidence-based fiscal reforms designed to lay the foundation for long-term sustainability, economic resilience, and inclusive growth. The IMF’s findings, she argued, directly confirm that the tough but necessary policy choices her government has made to restore economic stability, strengthen public institutions, and reposition Trinidad and Tobago on a sustainable development path are already delivering results. “I have said repeatedly that we could not repair the damage and disorder we inherited overnight,” Persad-Bissessar said. “However, through discipline, competence, sound governance and strategic planning, we have succeeded in restoring confidence both locally and internationally.” Crucially, the prime minister noted, these stabilizing economic gains have been achieved without abandoning core commitments to the Trinidad and Tobago public. Her administration has followed through on campaign promises including delivering a 10 percent wage increase to public sector employees and reviving key social programs such as the universal laptop initiative for school-aged children. Persad-Bissessar acknowledged the IMF’s formal caution regarding the potential economic spillover effects of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a global risk that could impact small open economies like Trinidad and Tobago. Even so, she highlighted the IMF’s own observation that faster implementation of structural reforms outlined in the government’s Revitalisation Blueprint, paired with sustained domestic and foreign investment, could boost the country’s medium-term growth outlook. “We remain focused on revitalizing the energy sector, diversifying the economy, improving the investment climate, reducing bureaucracy and accelerating national development,” the prime minister said. As foreign direct investment continues to climb, and both public and private sector partners advance critical infrastructure and development projects, Persad-Bissessar projected that expanded opportunity and new jobs will follow for local citizens. “My Government remains fully committed to protecting the vulnerable, empowering businesses and young people, expanding opportunities and ensuring that Trinidad and Tobago achieves sustainable growth, lasting prosperity and renewed national pride,” she added.

A sharp political feud has erupted in Trinidad and Tobago this week, as Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles launched a blistering counterattack against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, calling on the ruling government head to prioritize answering to the public instead of meddling in the makeup of the Opposition’s Senate delegation.

The back-and-forth began Sunday at a People’s National Movement (PNM) Sport and Family Day gathering hosted at Port of Spain’s Nelson Mandela Park. During the event, Beckles made public claims that multiple current members of Persad-Bissessar’s ruling United National Congress (UNC) government have questionable personal and professional backgrounds. These allegations surfaced amid growing pressure from the government on Opposition Senator Janelle John-Bates, who remains in her parliamentary seat despite stepping down from the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) following accusations of professional misconduct.

Persad-Bissessar hit back at Beckles in comments published by a local daily newspaper on Monday, arguing that the Opposition Leader was the last person qualified to raise questions about politicians with questionable reputations within the UNC. The Prime Minister’s remarks did not go unanswered, with Beckles firing back within 24 hours via a public Facebook post, framing the Prime Minister’s critique as a deliberate distraction tactic.

In her statement, Beckles accused Persad-Bissessar of steering a failing administration that has increasingly lost the confidence of Trinidad and Tobago’s citizens. She outlined a list of grievances against the ruling government, including a lack of empathy for the public, no accountability for the awarding of more than $4 billion in public contracts, failure to jumpstart sustained economic growth, and the absence of a actionable plan to address rising crime across the nation.

Beckles went on to argue that Trinidad and Tobago is currently mired in a national crisis under the leadership of the UNC government, which she claims is populated by figures of questionable character – including individuals currently out on bail and others facing serious criminal charges in court.

“It is shamelessly oxymoronic that Kamla Persad-Bissessar seeks to lecture me on integrity, accountability, or leadership when she herself has dozens of unanswered questions hanging over her administration,” Beckles said in her post. “She has been permanently absent from key policy debates and notoriously impotent in delivering on her promises, having over-promised and delivered precisely nothing to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

She added that the current UNC government is on the brink of political collapse, and that Persad-Bissessar’s attacks are just a desperate effort to cling to power. “Trying to disparage me will not resolve her administration’s failures. I say again to Kamla: leave me alone,” Beckles said.

The Opposition Leader also emphasized that the Prime Minister’s recent comments are designed to draw public attention away from two high-profile ongoing controversies: the LandmarkTT corruption scandal and the so-called HDC Gate affair. Despite the government’s attempts to shift focus, Beckles insisted the distraction tactic is already failing.