分类： politics

Trinidad and Tobago’s Housing Minister David Lee has publicly denied knowledge of a controversial proposal by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to regularize squatting on state properties. The minister’s statement came in response to media inquiries on December 29, following earlier reports that HDC chairman Feroze Khan was considering a program to legitimize unauthorized occupants of vacant government housing.

Minister Lee emphasized that the potential policy had not been discussed with his office, stating, ‘These questions should be addressed to the HDC chairman as I am not aware of this policy. Maybe this is a board decision by this present board, but as line minister this was not discussed with myself or any of my other ministers.’

The reported initiative would have encouraged squatters who could afford mortgage payments to begin formal acquisition processes for properties they currently occupy illegally. This proposal emerged amid growing concerns about housing shortages and unauthorized occupation of government properties across the nation.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley, when questioned about the potential contradiction between such a policy and her recent characterization of Trinidad and Tobago as a ‘lawless dump’ due to citizens’ ‘entitled attitudes,’ advised journalists to directly interview Chairman Khan for accurate information rather than relying on media reports.

Khan, when contacted by news organizations, indicated he was in meetings and would provide clarification later in the week, leaving the status and authenticity of the proposed regularization program uncertain. The situation highlights ongoing challenges in housing policy and governance coordination within the Caribbean nation.

The Council for Responsible Political Behaviour has issued commendations to political parties participating in Tobago’s January 12 elections for their commitment to maintaining campaign integrity. In a December 28 media release following its first weekly monitoring session, the Council acknowledged the parties’ declared intentions to conduct a clean electoral process.

Despite the positive assessment, the Council revealed that only two of the four invited political parties attended the live televised signing ceremony of the Code of Ethical Political Conduct held in Tobago on December 23. The organization has maintained an open invitation for all parties to endorse the code regardless of their initial participation.

The Council identified emerging concerns regarding social media conduct that potentially violates ethical standards. While acknowledging its limited capacity to monitor digital platforms, the watchdog has encouraged public vigilance and reporting of potential code violations through designated channels including WhatsApp (793-4505) and email (info@politicalethicstt.org).

The established code mandates that parties and supporters adhere to fundamental ethical principles including: prohibition of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender, class, or religion; avoidance of false or defamatory allegations against parties or candidates; refraining from character assassination attempts; and respecting the private lives of candidates and their families unrelated to public activities. Comprehensive information regarding the code and potential violations is accessible through the Council’s official website at www.politicalethicstt.org.

In a significant political development, Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) leader Watson Duke has elaborated on his party’s decision to abstain from the upcoming 2026 Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections while endorsing the ruling Tobago People’s Party (TPP).

Duke articulated his strategic rationale through social media on December 28, framing the move as a calculated effort to permanently dismantle the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) political influence on the island. This follows his initial December 8 announcement that the PDP would not contest the January 12 election and would instead support Chief Secretary Farley Augustine’s TPP.

The PDP leader characterized this endorsement not as surrender but as a tactical maneuver to consolidate anti-PNM forces. He emphasized that a TPP victory would conclusively demonstrate that PNM has no viable future as a governing force in Tobago politics.

Duke provided historical context, noting that before PDP’s emergence in 2015, Tobago’s political landscape had been dominated by PNM for decades, with previous opposition parties like the Democratic Action Congress and National Alliance for Reconstruction being effectively erased from contention. The PDP’s stunning 14-1 victory against PNM in the December 2021 THA elections—described as the worst electoral defeat in PNM’s history from 1956 onward—broke this pattern of predictability.

Despite the PDP’s subsequent internal fracture that led to Augustine forming the TPP in August 2023, Duke maintains both parties share common roots in challenging PNM dominance. He now urges supporters to transcend past differences and personal grievances to achieve what he considers the greater objective: preventing PNM’s return to power.

Duke characterized PNM as an ‘outsider party’ that has historically prioritized national agendas over Tobago’s specific needs, treating the island ‘as an extension of national political priorities rather than a people with their own identity, needs, and future.’

Political analyst Dr. Bishnu Ragoonath has expressed skepticism about other parties’ ability to win seats, while Augustine has welcomed Duke’s support while explicitly ruling out any formal coalition or partnership. Public reaction to the announcement remains mixed across social media platforms.

The upcoming election will ultimately test whether Duke’s strategic withdrawal proves decisive in reshaping Tobago’s political destiny.

A recent court case in Trinidad and Tobago has ignited intense debate about free speech, government power, and international hypocrisy. A 32-year-old mother of two received a three-year bond for social media posts allegedly inciting violence against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, raising concerns about the application of emergency powers regulations in digital expression cases.

While acknowledging the need to prevent reckless speech that could endanger public order, the case highlights troubling inconsistencies in how incitement is defined and prosecuted. The author contrasts the severe treatment of a local citizen expressing views through digital platforms with the United States government’s aggressive actions in the region.

The commentary points to specific US military actions—destroying vessels without publicly presented evidence, seizing oil tankers internationally, and suggesting Venezuelan territory might be negotiable—as examples of actual violence that face no legal consequences. These actions, backed by military might and economic pressure, represent tangible threats to regional stability that go unchallenged while individual citizens face severe penalties for digital expression.

The case exposes what the author describes as a fundamental double standard: incitement is only treated as criminal when it comes from powerless individuals, while identical behavior from nations with military capabilities is accepted as standard foreign policy. This disparity raises critical questions about whose security truly receives protection under emergency regulations and whether principles of justice are applied equally across different levels of power and influence.

In a significant development for Tobago’s political landscape, 26-year-old biomedical technology graduate Shonae John has emerged as the youngest candidate in the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections scheduled for January 12. The University of the West Indies graduate officially filed her nomination papers on December 19 as the People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate for the Roxborough/Argyle district.

John, who currently serves as a teacher at Goodwood High School, expressed profound enthusiasm about her political debut. “It’s incredibly exciting and truly an honor to receive this opportunity to represent the people of Roxborough/Argyle,” she stated outside the Glamorgan Multipurpose Facility after submitting her nomination. “Public service has been my long-standing aspiration, and reaching this milestone represents an emotional fulfillment of that dream.”

Since August, John has been actively engaging with constituents through walkabouts and personal meetings, describing these interactions as deeply enlightening. Her grassroots outreach revealed critical infrastructure deficiencies and basic necessity gaps within the electoral district. “Residents require fundamental improvements—from road repairs to structural reinforcements. Numerous areas demand immediate attention,” she noted.

Identifying herself as a “country girl” deeply rooted in the Delaford and Roxborough communities, John emphasizes her local connections and passionate commitment to service. Her campaign promises a fresh perspective and genuine dedication to addressing systemic issues, particularly youth unemployment which she identifies as the district’s most pressing challenge.

John’s policy agenda focuses on economic empowerment through business development initiatives and mentorship programs. She proposes leveraging the expertise of established tradespersons to guide young residents in developing marketable skills and establishing sustainable enterprises. “This approach will not only create self-employment opportunities but also generate jobs within the electoral district,” she explained.

The political newcomer will compete against Orlando Kerr of the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) in a bid to unseat Progressive Democratic Patriots’ representative Watson Duke, who has held the seat for eight years.

In a significant immigration policy shift, Trinidad and Tobago’s government has announced the expansion of its Migrant Registration Framework to encompass all undocumented immigrants residing within the nation’s borders. The Ministry of Homeland Security unveiled this sweeping regularization initiative on December 29, marking a departure from previous programs that primarily focused on Venezuelan nationals.

The newly structured program will enable all registered undocumented immigrants to obtain legal residency and work authorization from January 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. This nine-month window provides an opportunity for foreign nationals without legal status to regularize their immigration standing.

Registered participants will receive official identification cards containing their complete name, date of birth, photographic identification, and card expiration date. The program extends eligibility to children of permit holders, ensuring family unity remains intact throughout the regularization process.

The ministry emphasized that this humanitarian gesture comes with strict enforcement provisions. Individuals with criminal records or those identified as high-security risks will be excluded from the program and face immediate deportation proceedings. This balanced approach aims to integrate willing participants while maintaining national security priorities.

This policy development represents the most comprehensive immigration regularization effort undertaken by Trinidad and Tobago, potentially affecting thousands of migrants currently residing in the twin-island nation without legal documentation.