分类： politics

TOBAGO – January 12 witnessed a decisive political transformation as the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) secured a comprehensive victory in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections. Preliminary results indicated a clean sweep for the TPP, with the former ruling party PNM suffering significant losses, including the crucial Darrel Spring/Whim constituency previously held by Minority Leader Kelvon Morris.

Martin George, President of the Tobago Business Chamber, expressed no surprise at the electoral outcome. In an exclusive telephone interview, George analyzed the underlying factors behind the TPP’s triumph, stating that the PNM failed to present a compelling vision to captivate the electorate. Despite campaign assertions of being ‘a new PNM,’ George noted the persistence of familiar faces within the party’s candidate roster, undermining their credibility as a viable alternative.

While acknowledging that the TPP may not have fully delivered on all promises during its previous term, George emphasized that the PNM mounted insufficient challenges to the ruling party’s credibility. ‘The PNM consistently occupied a defensive position throughout the campaign, making this outcome predictable,’ George observed.

The political analyst underscored Tobago’s urgent need for leadership that implements substantive economic reforms and tangible improvements for ordinary citizens. Voters had the opportunity to compare the TPP’s established blueprint against the PNM’s election manifesto, ultimately choosing the former.

This election continues Tobago’s recent political evolution. In December 2021, the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) achieved a historic 14-1 victory against the PNM. Current THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, originally elected under the PDP banner, led thirteen assembly members in forming the TPP in August 2023 following internal disagreements. Notably, PDP leader Watson Duke recently declared support for the TPP in the January 12 elections.

In a dramatic political realignment, the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) has achieved a sweeping victory in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections, capturing all 15 electoral districts in a historic clean sweep. The election results, declared around 9:45 PM on January 12, mark a significant shift in Tobago’s political landscape, with the previously dominant PNM losing its sole seat from the previous election.

Mickela Panday, political leader of the Patriotic Front (PF), extended formal congratulations to the TPP while simultaneously raising concerns about democratic participation. Through an official WhatsApp statement, Panday acknowledged the decisive nature of the victory while highlighting the concerning phenomenon of low voter turnout.

“The electorate of Tobago has delivered a clear verdict through the ballot box,” Panday stated. “While we recognize the TPP’s formidable electoral performance, the apparent disengagement of significant portions of the electorate should give all political movements pause for reflection.”

Panday challenged the conventional interpretation of low participation as mere voter apathy, suggesting instead that it signals deeper systemic issues. “This pattern of disengagement frequently stems from profound frustration or the pervasive sense that political discourse has become disconnected from the daily challenges facing ordinary citizens,” she analyzed.

Emphasizing the Patriotic Front’s commitment to democratic revitalization, Panday outlined the party’s mission to restore public trust in governance institutions. “Our fundamental objective involves reconstructing civic confidence, broadening political participation, and ensuring that governance reclaims its relevance through inclusive service rather than divisive spectacle,” she affirmed.

The PF leader concluded with expectations for Tobago’s new administration: “The people of Tobago merit responsive governance that actively listens, delivers accountable leadership, and reintegrates disenfranchised citizens into democratic processes. This standard of representative democracy remains our advocacy priority throughout both Tobago and Trinidad.”

The unprecedented apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro through a US military operation authorized by President Donald Trump has ignited a profound legal and diplomatic confrontation. Currently facing narcotics and weapons charges in a Manhattan federal court, Maduro’s case presents a fundamental challenge to established international norms regarding sovereign immunity and cross-border jurisdiction.

Legal Framework Analysis
The Trump administration’s operation, which included approximately 35 military strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels resulting in over 115 casualties prior to Maduro’s capture, tests the limits of permissible military force against sovereign states. The US justification characterizes the campaign against Maduro’s alleged criminal network as a non-international armed conflict, though this classification remains contentious under international humanitarian law where drug trafficking operations don’t automatically qualify as armed conflicts.

The prosecution strategy, articulated by US Attorney Clayton, deliberately separates the military capture from subsequent legal proceedings. The doctrine of ‘male captus, bene detentus’ (wrongly captured, properly detained) allows the judiciary to proceed regardless of apprehension methods. This approach finds precedent in the 1989 prosecution of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, establishing three legal pillars: pre-capture indictment, non-recognition of leadership status, and classification of alleged crimes as private rather than sovereign acts.

Sovereign Immunity Erosion
The case continues a trend of diminishing absolute immunity for heads of state, following prosecutions of figures like Augusto Pinochet, Slobodan Milošević, and Charles Taylor. However, Maduro’s prosecution differs significantly as it occurs in a domestic court following unilateral military action rather than through an international tribunal established by multilateral agreement.

Geopolitical Implications
The operation reflects historical US intervention patterns in Latin America while raising constitutional questions about the separation of powers regarding congressional war declaration authority. Critics argue that allowing unilateral non-recognition to justify military intervention undermines international law principles, while proponents maintain that national security concerns justify executive action against state-sponsored criminal threats.

This landmark case represents a critical juncture in balancing accountability for alleged crimes against foundational principles of sovereign equality and international legal norms, with implications that will likely influence global approaches to leadership accountability for decades.

A High Court judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal, citing the claimants’ persistent failure to advance their case through proper legal channels. Justice Frank Seepersad ruled against investment entities Trillions Systems Ltd, Rose Capital Investments Ltd, and businessman James Kerron Rose, while simultaneously granting permission for their legal representatives to formally withdraw from the matter.

The court expressed significant concern over the claimants’ disregard for judicial directives issued since July 2025, which mandated specific procedural actions including the filing of formal replies and document disclosures. Justice Seepersad noted that six months had elapsed without meaningful progress, stating: “The court must jealously guard its process. Delay will not be tolerated by this court.”

Legal representatives for the claimants detailed extensive but unsuccessful efforts to contact their clients between July and September 2025, utilizing multiple communication channels including email, telephone calls, and WhatsApp messaging. The attorneys revealed that despite attending case management conferences in May 2023 and June 2025, they had received no instructions from Rose or the companies to comply with court requirements.

Minister Moonilal’s defense team, led by Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan and attorney Jared Jagroo, highlighted the unusual circumstance of supposedly substantial corporate entities being unreachable by their own legal counsel. Ramlogan emphasized the significant public interest dimensions of the case, noting that the minister’s controversial statements addressed allegations of illegal quarrying and financial improprieties affecting public investors.

The defamation claim originated from Minister Moonilal’s September 2024 press briefing, streamed on the United National Congress’s Facebook platform and shared through his personal social media accounts. The claimants alleged the minister had falsely associated them with illicit quarry operations, questionable government contracts, and financial misconduct, resulting in substantial reputational damage and business losses.

Following the dismissal, Minister Moonilal issued a statement characterizing the ruling as a complete vindication of his public interest advocacy. He referenced ongoing investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission into the claimants’ operations and expressed concern for citizens who allegedly suffered financial losses through their dealings with Rose’s companies. The minister pledged to continue addressing matters of public concern regardless of potential legal challenges, while acknowledging his legal team for their steadfast representation throughout the proceedings.

Tobago’s House of Assembly elections concluded without incident on January 12, thanks to comprehensive security oversight led by Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro and Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin. The top brass of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) personally supervised electoral operations across the island, implementing strategic measures to ensure public safety and electoral integrity.

Commissioner Guevarro conducted inspections at multiple key stations including Scarborough, Charlotteville, and Roxborough, engaging directly with station commanders and frontline officers. His visits focused on assessing policing requirements specific to the electoral context and providing operational guidance. He was accompanied by Assistant Commissioners of Police Earl Elie and Collis Hazel during these critical assessments.

The TTPS executed widespread officer deployments throughout Tobago with the dual objective of maintaining orderly electoral proceedings and safeguarding all citizens, stakeholders, and institutions involved. In a post-election statement via social media, the police service highlighted its commitment to facilitating a smooth and incident-free democratic process.

Commissioner Guevarro publicly commended Tobagonians for their exemplary conduct throughout the voting exercise, noting the absence of any significant disturbances or security breaches. The successful security operation demonstrates the TTPS’s capacity to manage large-scale democratic events while maintaining public order.

In an unprecedented electoral triumph, the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) led by Chief Secretary Farley Augustine secured a comprehensive victory in the Tobago House Assembly elections on January 12, capturing all 15 contested seats. The decisive win marks a significant political shift in the island’s governance, completely eliminating opposition representation from the People’s National Movement (PNM).

The TPP declared victory shortly after 9 pm, surpassing their previous 14-1 seat achievement in the 2021 elections. The outcome was particularly devastating for PNM’s Kelvon Morris, who lost his Darrel Spring/Whim constituency by a narrow margin of 17 votes after previously winning by just three votes in 2021.

PNM Tobago leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine announced her resignation following the crushing defeat, stating her support for “transition to new leadership” while confirming the party would seek recounts in several marginal constituencies. The resignation came amidst a atmosphere of stunned disbelief within PNM ranks, which had maintained hope until late evening that Morris might retain his seat.

This victory continues the TPP’s remarkable electoral trajectory. In the 2021 THA polls, the party’s predecessor organization (PDP) secured 58% of votes (16,932 votes) compared to PNM’s 41% (11,942 votes). The trend continued in the 2025 general election where TPP captured two parliamentary seats with 55% of votes cast (13,857 votes versus PNM’s 11,000 votes).

The campaign featured intense debate around both local and national issues. Critical discussion points included the controversial placement of a US military radar at ANR Robinson Airport, substantial increases in traffic fines, and rising late fees for driver’s permits. The THA’s procurement of ambulances also emerged as a significant campaign topic, with the PNM criticizing the $18 million expenditure for 12 vehicles.

Augustine had previously made headlines by vowing to personally “mash up” the US radar installation if evidence emerged it had assisted American operations against Venezuelan leadership. The PNM campaign attempted to raise concerns about potential Trinidad-style closures of Cepep and URP programs, allegations that Augustine dismissed as fearmongering tactics.

Despite the overwhelming defeat, Davidson-Celestine praised PNM’s “excellent candidates” and acknowledged democratic processes while urging supporters not to “lose hope in the PNM and do not lose hope in Tobago.” She noted the party had detected significant voter dissatisfaction during campaigning that ultimately failed to translate into electoral support.

The electoral process involved 42 candidates competing across 15 constituencies, with TPP and PNM contesting all seats while the Innovative Democratic Alliance fielded 11 candidates and Unity of the People presented one candidate. The Elections and Boundaries Commission reported no voting irregularities despite minor confusion among some voters regarding polling station locations.

This electoral restructuring followed the EBC’s creation of three new seats in 2021 (Lambeau/Lowlands, Darrel Spring/Whim and Mt St George/Goodwood) to prevent recurrence of the previous 6-6 deadlock that had paralyzed the assembly. Boundary adjustments in Mason Hall North/Moriah and Mason Hall South/Bagatelle further refined the electoral landscape ahead of the January 12 poll.

In a sharp rebuttal to her predecessor’s assertions, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit has publicly denounced claims that the ministry operated flawlessly under previous leadership. The January 12th statement directly addresses what Mohit characterizes as “misleading and factually unfounded” comments from former minister Donna Cox regarding the ministry’s operational status during her tenure.

Mohit accused Cox of engaging in historical revisionism, stating that such remarks are “politically motivated and dangerously disconnected from reality.” The minister presented counter-evidence highlighting that social services grants for January 2026 were successfully processed and disbursed by January 1st, contradicting narratives suggesting otherwise.

The current administration inherited significant systemic challenges including entrenched backlogs, obsolete operational systems, fragmented processes, and inadequate inter-agency coordination, according to Mohit. She emphasized that the previous government’s portrayal of perfect functionality ignores documented evidence of delayed grant payments, operational inefficiencies, and administrative strain that were subsequently acknowledged by that same administration.

Mohit suggested that Cox’s comments reflect “a troubling indulgence in revisionist nostalgia rather than an honest engagement with facts” and indicated that the former minister appears “hypnotized by the sustained momentum of reform work” currently underway. The ministry has reportedly achieved measurable progress in key service areas, moving from stagnation to demonstrable improvement within months.

Notable accomplishments include dramatically reducing the backlog of senior citizens’ pension payments through strategic interventions involving direct engagement with the National Insurance Board and the Ministry of Finance. These efforts resolved emergency issues that potentially threatened timely disbursement systems.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Trinidad and Tobago’s most vulnerable citizens while ensuring social support services are delivered with fairness, transparency, and punctuality.

A disturbing outbreak of violence has marred the final hours of campaigning for Tobago’s House of Assembly (THA) elections, exposing heightened political tensions on the island. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated, depicts a physical altercation between supporters of the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) and the People’s National Movement (PNM) along Milford Road in Bon Accord on January 11th.

The confrontation reportedly began as a verbal argument outside the campaign office of PNM candidate Dominque Kerr around 1 pm. Video evidence shows an elderly woman adorned in TPP regalia engaged in a heated exchange with another individual wearing PNM colors and holding a party flag. The situation rapidly deteriorated into a physical brawl, with the TPP supporter allegedly brandishing a knife while PNM supporters retaliated by striking her with their flags and delivering kicks.

TPP leader and THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine characterized the event as ‘unfortunate’ and acknowledged its deviation from Tobago’s traditional political culture, where ‘heavy picong and verbal jabs’ are customary. He confirmed the injured supporter received medical attention and that the matter was reported to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) for investigation. While condemning violence unequivocally, Augustine contextualized the incident within what he described as an increasingly ‘testy’ and ‘ferocious’ political landscape that has evolved over the past five years.

TPP Deputy Leader Dr. Faith Brebnor, who spoke with the injured supporter, echoed the sentiment of regret while appealing for greater discipline among the electorate. ‘I want to call for us to be a little more disciplined, for us to remember that all of we is Tobagonians and that after today, we need to live here peacefully,’ she stated following her vote at the Belle Garden Multipurpose Facility. Regarding potential legal recourse, Dr. Brebnor indicated that party lawyers are reviewing the incident and will support whatever course of action the victim chooses to pursue.