分类： politics

Former National Security Minister Gary Griffith has firmly opposed Tobago Chief Secretary Farley Augustine’s proposal to join Trinidad and Tobago’s National Security Council (NSC), citing constitutional and procedural constraints. The controversy emerged following Augustine’s call for Tobago representation during a Tobago People’s Party rally on December 1st, specifically referencing the recent installation of a US military radar at Arthur NR International Airport.

Griffith, who served as both national security minister and adviser during Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s first administration, explained that Trinidad and Tobago’s parliamentary system strictly follows the British model regarding NSC composition. “The NSC is a cabinet committee,” Griffith emphasized. “To be a member, you must first be a member of cabinet, which requires being both a parliamentarian in the lower house and a government minister simultaneously.”

The former police commissioner detailed that even junior ministers designated as “minister in the ministry of” cannot join cabinet meetings, making them ineligible for NSC participation. He noted that only select cabinet members typically join the security council, with the prime minister serving as permanent chair alongside automatic members like the attorney general and national security minister.

Griffith addressed concerns about the radar installation by suggesting alternative participation methods: “If there’s a specific agenda item pertaining to Tobago’s security, the chief secretary could be invited as a guest for that particular discussion.” He warned that granting Augustine’s request would set a problematic precedent where every minister could demand NSC access based on portfolio-related security concerns.

The political context remains complex, as no formal coalition exists between the ruling UNC and Augustine’s TPP, though two TPP MPs occupy government-aligned seats in parliament without holding ministerial positions.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has vehemently rejected allegations from former finance minister Colm Imbert regarding impending tax implementations. The controversy emerged as Parliament prepared to review the Finance Bill 2025 during its December 5 House session scheduled for 1:30 PM.

Minister Tancoo characterized Imbert’s assertions as political theatrics, stating the bill’s circulation timeline complies entirely with parliamentary procedures that have been standard practice for over a decade. Through WhatsApp communications on December 3, Tancoo emphasized that finance bills routinely follow budget approvals to implement previously outlined policies.

The minister accused the opposition of neglecting their parliamentary duties while he works extensively to address financial and administrative challenges inherited from the previous administration. Tancoo stressed the nation requires serious governance rather than complaints about legislative processes.

Opposition MP Imbert had taken to social media platform X on December 5, claiming the government circulated a 44-page bill containing numerous new taxes including landlord taxes, electricity surcharges, a 20% National Insurance System rate increase, and enhanced fines alongside previously announced alcohol tax hikes.

The 2025/2026 budget presented on October 13 projects $59.232 billion in expenditure against $55.367 billion revenue, creating a $3.865 billion deficit. This contrasts with the previous PNM government’s budget that showed a $5.517 billion deficit. Tancoo’s budget calculations assume oil at US$73.25/barrel and natural gas at US$4.25/mmbtu, slightly adjusted from last year’s energy price projections.

Senior parliamentary figures from both government and opposition have dismissed concerns about simultaneous legislative sessions scheduled for December 5th, characterizing the arrangement as routine procedure rather than extraordinary circumstance.

Government Business Leader Barry Padarath and Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales separately affirmed that both chambers of Trinidad and Tobago’s parliament will convene concurrently within the Red House’s northern and southern chambers. This coordinated scheduling enables parallel consideration of two significant legislative measures requiring urgent attention.

The Senate will resume deliberations on the Home Invasion (Self-Defence and Defence of Property) Bill, 2025, continuing debates initiated December 2nd. Attorney General John Jeremie, who inaugurated the discussions, will deliver concluding arguments before the legislation advances to committee review and ultimate voting. The proposed law demands a three-fifths supermajority for passage, necessitating 19 affirmative votes in the 31-member Senate. With the government controlling 15 seats, securing four additional votes from opposition and independent senators becomes crucial for enactment.

Simultaneously, the House of Representatives will examine the Finance Bill, 2025—legislative machinery designed to implement budgetary policies recently approved by lawmakers.

Padarath emphasized the architectural intentionality behind the Red House’s dual chambers, noting via WhatsApp message that ‘one of the main reasons there are two chambers is for occurrences like this.’ The Public Utilities Minister further asserted the government’s commitment to fulfilling legislative promises while taking a political jab at the opposition PNM party, accusing them of being ‘legislatively lazy.’

Gonzales corroborated this perspective, referencing historical precedent for such parallel proceedings and stating simply: ‘Nothing unusual to me.’

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has launched a forceful counteroffensive against opposition criticism regarding the installation of U.S. radar systems, accusing the former People’s National Movement (PNM) government of deliberate security negligence that enabled criminal operations for over a decade.

In a December 3rd statement, the Prime Minister reframed the national security debate by challenging the PNM to disclose how long they had been aware of Trinidad and Tobago’s compromised radar capabilities. Rather than addressing opposition concerns about sovereignty, Persad-Bissessar shifted focus to what she characterized as systemic security failures during PNM’s tenure.

The newly operational radar at ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago represents a significant upgrade in surveillance capabilities, specifically targeting narcotics trafficking, arms smuggling, and unauthorized migrant movements from Venezuela. Another complementary system is scheduled for installation in Trinidad, creating comprehensive coverage previously unavailable to national security forces.

Persad-Bissessar presented a damning chronology of PNM’s governance, linking the party’s period in power to what she described as ‘horrendous’ crime statistics: over 5,000 murders, widespread sexual violence, and rampant violent robberies. She attributed these security failures to deliberate tolerance of drug cartels and sanction-evading Venezuelan criminal networks.

The Prime Minister’s challenge includes four specific demands: disclosure of when PNM first learned of radar system vulnerabilities, publication of names of businessmen with dual affiliations to PNM and drug cartels, explanation of why previous radars failed to detect illegal ship-to-ship oil transfers, and clarification whether current anti-American rhetoric stems from criminal pressure rather than national interest concerns.

This confrontation occurs amid escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, with Washington accusing Caracas of narco-terrorism activities. The Prime Minister characterized PNM’s questions about the new radar as a ‘desperate’ attempt to obtain sensitive security information that could benefit criminal financiers associated with the opposition.

Opposition Parliament Member Colm Imbert has characterized the proliferation of expired pharmaceuticals within Trinidad and Tobago’s healthcare system as a substantial national concern. The revelation emerged during the opposition’s weekly media briefing on December 3rd, following Newsday’s report detailing parliamentary committee discoveries of $80 million worth of medicines deteriorating into uselessness over a decade in Ministry of Health storage facilities.

Imbert, drawing upon his tenure as health minister between 2001-2003, emphasized that this wastage problem demands comprehensive investigation. He identified a structural challenge facing smaller nations: international pharmaceutical suppliers allegedly compel local agents to accept excessively large shipments that exceed practical consumption needs, making expiration inevitable.

PNM political leader Penelope Beckles corroborated the systemic nature of these challenges after consulting former health minister Terrence Deyalsingh (2015-2025). Beckles noted the issues extend beyond expiration dates to include ongoing global debates about drug quality disparities affecting smaller island nations.

Imbert further alleged the current administration plans to radically alter pharmaceutical procurement by abandoning local suppliers in favor of importing generic drugs from India through government-selected agents. He claimed, without disclosing sources, that traditional suppliers are being deliberately starved of payments under the pretext of being PNM-aligned, potentially redirecting the nation’s $1 billion pharmaceutical expenditure through new import channels.

A controversial US military-grade radar installation at Tobago’s ANR Robinson International Airport has ignited both concern and unexpected celebration within the Caribbean community. Certica Williams-Orr, Tobago People’s Party member and former THA councillor, characterized the advanced surveillance system as an early “Christmas gift” for Crown Point residents during a December 2nd political gathering in Bon Accord.

The radar, identified as resembling Northrop Grumman’s AN/TPS-80 ground/air task-oriented radar (G/ATOR), represents cutting-edge military technology currently deployed by both the US Marine Corps and Air Force. According to manufacturer specifications, the system provides comprehensive 360-degree surveillance capabilities with advanced threat detection for cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, ballistic missiles, and both manned and unmanned aircraft.

The installation process revealed significant transparency issues within Tobago’s governance structure. Chief Secretary Farley Augustine acknowledged learning about the radar deployment through media and WhatsApp reports rather than official channels, while Prime Minister Keith Rowley initially treated the matter as classified national security information.

Defence Minister Wayne Sturge addressed growing public apprehension during a November 29th media conference, emphasizing the system’s domestic security applications. He clarified that the primary function involves identifying illegal flights and drone operations associated with drug trafficking networks targeting the island.

Augustine subsequently received assurances from central government authorities that the radar would not be utilized by US forces for offensive operations against any nation. The technological deployment occurs amid ongoing production to satisfy both US military requirements and select international customers, positioning Tobago at the forefront of regional security infrastructure.

Williams-Orr’s festive metaphor during her public address highlighted the unusual nature of the security upgrade: “Brothers and sisters, Bon Accord/Crown Point, you have to show off yuh self. You have been so much in the news. Last week, you get your gift already for Christmas. You have a whole radar in the air.”

In a contentious Senate session on December 2, 2025, Temporary Opposition Senator Sanjiv Boodhu delivered a comprehensive critique of the proposed Home Invasion (Self-Defence and Defence of Property) Bill, challenging its fundamental effectiveness in addressing criminal activities. Speaking during parliamentary debates, Boodhu—who also serves as a deputy political leader for the PNM—directly contradicted government assertions that the legislation would empower citizens to protect themselves during home invasions.

Boodhu systematically dismantled claims made by Government Senator Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, arguing that the bill’s purported benefits would only apply to the limited segment of the population with legal access to firearms. ‘This legislation, despite its accompanying messaging, provides no mechanism for law-abiding citizens to legally obtain firearms,’ he emphasized, highlighting what he characterized as a critical flaw in the proposed law.

The opposition senator further challenged the government’s foundational premise that existing laws are insufficient to address home invasion crimes, noting that Attorney General John Jeremie, SC, had previously referenced relevant legislation that has been operational since 1971. ‘I cannot comprehend what insufficiency or ambiguity exists in a 54-year-old legal framework,’ Boodhu stated, adding that he was unaware of any instances where law enforcement encountered difficulties in charging individuals for home break-ins.

Boodhu presented a detailed analysis of the home invasion process, identifying multiple stages including victim surveillance, execution of the crime, escape evasion, and monetization of stolen goods. He acknowledged the severity of crimes committed during such invasions, including ‘violent assaults, robberies, larceny, and sexual offenses,’ but maintained that the proposed legislation fails to address any of these criminal elements.

The senator criticized the bill for lacking provisions to enhance police capabilities in intelligence gathering, communication interception, or specialized unit formation. ‘It provides no assistance to law enforcement in intercepting criminal communications during any stage of home invasions,’ he noted. Additionally, Boodhu warned that the legislation would potentially exacerbate case backlogs within the criminal justice system rather than alleviating them, with his sole positive acknowledgment being the previous administration’s elimination of preliminary inquiries to reduce judicial congestion.