分类： politics

The Trinidadian government confronts a substantial financial challenge as it seeks to secure $3.8 billion to fulfill back payment obligations to public servants following a recently concluded wage agreement. Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh has indicated that funding details will emerge “soon enough,” offering limited commentary while entering the Red House on November 28.

The breakthrough occurred on November 27 when the Public Services Association (PSA) and the Chief Personnel Officer finalized an agreement granting union members a ten percent salary increase—a commitment originally made by the United National Congress during April’s general election campaign. The compensation package allocates one percent for each year between 2014 and 2018, plus five percent for 2019, collectively adding approximately $420 million to recurrent annual expenditures.

Chief Personnel Officer Dr. Daryl Dindial confirmed plans to formalize the agreement through a memorandum of understanding with PSA representatives on December 1, preceding Cabinet submission for ratification. The Cabinet Secretary has reportedly expedited the process, allowing for consideration via an ad hoc note during the December 4 session.

Opposition figures expressed cautious optimism alongside fiscal concerns. Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales acknowledged satisfaction with the resolution while emphasizing the need for transparency regarding funding mechanisms. Former Finance Minister Colm Imbert raised alarms about potential domino effects, projecting that similar settlements across public sector unions could escalate liabilities to approximately $20 billion in back pay and $2 billion in additional annual wage expenditures.

Minister in the Ministry of Public Utilities Clyde Elder cautioned against renegotiations, stating that unions which previously accepted four percent agreements should not expect retrospective adjustments based on the PSA outcome. Elder highlighted the PSA’s particular struggles during previous administrations and noted that payment scheduling would fall under Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo’s purview.

A heated parliamentary debate unfolded in Trinidad and Tobago’s House of Representatives on November 28th as Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Stuart Young launched a vigorous defense of Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles against government attempts to amend her private motion regarding US-Venezuela tensions in the Caribbean.

Young characterized the government’s actions as “cowardly behavior” designed to embarrass Beckles and deflect attention from their controversial foreign policy decisions. He expressed gratitude for Beckles’ “courage and fortitude” in bringing the motion forward while delivering scathing criticism of Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal’s attempted amendments, which he labeled as “immature and pathetic” political maneuvering.

The MP challenged the government to “face the motion in its original form” rather than engaging in what he described as political theater. Young revealed concerning developments in Trinidad and Tobago’s international relations, noting that conversations with CARICOM leaders indicated strained relationships due to the government’s support for US military deployment and rejection of the Caribbean’s traditional zone of peace principle.

Young emphasized Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to the UN Charter principles of non-intervention and peaceful negotiation, questioning when citizens had authorized the government to abandon these fundamental safeguards. He warned that the nation is entering “a very, very dark period” due to the government’s apparent obliviousness to global geopolitical realities, citing suspicious activity at Tobago’s airport as evidence of external influences contrary to official government statements.

The parliamentarian concluded that sophisticated diplomacy remains essential to protecting national sovereignty, suggesting current approaches are jeopardizing Trinidad and Tobago’s standing in the international community.

In a striking political analysis, Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal has directly linked the dramatic electoral collapse of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to his criticism of regional security cooperation with the United States. The commentary emerged during parliamentary debates on November 28, just one day after Gonsalves’ United Labour Party suffered a devastating 14-1 defeat against the New Democratic Party in general elections.

Moonilal asserted that Gonsalves ‘paid the ultimate political price’ for his vocal opposition to Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s support for US military deployment in the southern Caribbean. The minister characterized the electoral outcome as a punishment from voters who have grown weary of drug trafficking and transnational crime plaguing the region.

‘Unless I am mistaken, I think he got one seat… his own,’ Moonilal remarked about Gonsalves’ narrow retention of his constituency. ‘By the skin of his teeth… he remained.’

The Trinidadian official defended Persad-Bissessar’s security stance as demonstrating ‘courage, boldness and the strength to take action against narco-traffickers,’ adding that Trinidad and Tobago was ‘proud within the Caribbean to have taken that leadership.’ Moonilal specifically referenced tensions between the US and Venezuela, noting that negative comments about Trinidad’s foreign policy had ’emanated from the former prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.’

Moonilal, who also serves as deputy political leader of the ruling United National Congress, advised other Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders to heed the political consequences witnessed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He claimed regional populations are ‘fed up of drugs, murder and crime’ and want strong action with international allies.

The minister concluded by praising Persad-Bissessar’s diplomatic efforts since assuming office six months earlier, stating she has ‘carried the torch of diplomacy and good will in the region’ with ‘a measure of dignity, and integrity uncommon for the last ten years.’

In an unprecedented parliamentary development, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles sparked procedural confusion in Trinidad and Tobago’s House of Representatives on November 30 by declining to deliver an opening contribution for her own motion condemning Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s administration regarding the US-Venezuela tensions.

The incident occurred during the first private members’ day following the April 28 general election, a session traditionally dedicated to opposition-led debates. Beckles read the text of her motion while complaining about government MPs’ heckling, prompting Speaker Jagdeo Singh to demand order. Despite parliamentary staff providing a glass lectern and document stand suggesting an elaborate presentation, Beckles concluded simply with “I beg to move” and took her seat without further commentary.

Speaker Singh expressed procedural concerns, suspending the session for ten minutes to consult parliamentary rules. Upon resumption, he ruled that Beckles’ phrase had formally ended her presentation opportunity under standing orders, requiring immediate progression to a seconder. Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales subsequently seconded the motion while reserving his right to speak later.

Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal expressed astonishment at Beckles’ unusual parliamentary maneuver, noting her decades of experience made the omission particularly remarkable. He then proposed extensive amendments supporting government actions, asserting that US-Venezuela tensions hadn’t harmed Trinidad and Tobago’s economy or security, and that the government’s position reflected commitment to combating transnational crime through international cooperation.

The amendments faced objections from Diego Martin North/East MP Colm Imbert, though Speaker Singh permitted them as not materially altering the motion’s substance. The session concluded without voting on the amendments after parliamentary advice indicated no immediate vote was required, with the House adjourning to an unspecified future date.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Ministry has moved swiftly to dispel public concerns regarding potential airspace disruptions following former US President Donald Trump’s declaration of a no-fly zone over Venezuela. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge issued an official statement on November 29 characterizing social media speculation about flight interruptions as “misinformation” and “fearmongering” orchestrated by politically motivated influencers seeking to create instability.

The ministerial response came hours after Trump’s social media proclamation that declared “THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY” while addressing “Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers” in his characteristic blunt style. This escalation occurs against a backdrop of heightened US-Venezuela tensions, marked by significant US military deployment to the region and 21 missile strikes on vessels since September 21 that resulted in 83 fatalities among alleged drug traffickers.

Minister Sturge emphasized that commercial aviation operations continue unaffected throughout Trinidadian airspace, with local, regional, and international flights operating without hindrance. The Defence Ministry, which maintains authority over the nation’s airspace and territorial waters, committed to providing official timely communications should any operational changes become necessary, urging citizens to disregard unverified social media speculation.

A diplomatic clarification has emerged regarding the installation of a temporary US military radar system in Tobago, revealing tensions between national security protocols and regional governance transparency. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar confirmed that Tobago’s Chief Secretary Farley Augustine was deliberately excluded from prior notifications regarding the defense installation, citing his non-membership in the National Security Council.

The radar system, currently being established with approximately 100 fluctuating US personnel, represents a temporary solution to address critical gaps in Trinidad and Tobago’s surveillance capabilities. According to the Prime Minister’s statements to Newsday via WhatsApp on November 28, the existing radar infrastructure inherited by the current government operated sporadically and failed to provide comprehensive coverage of the nation’s territory. The Coast Guard reportedly lacked real-time data access, with the system additionally compromised by unspecified vulnerabilities.

This development follows Chief Secretary Augustine’s November 28 declaration of Tobago’s neutrality in ongoing US-Venezuela geopolitical tensions. The Office of the Chief Secretary disclosed that Augustine had demanded comprehensive details about the installation during a Wednesday night telephone conversation with the Prime Minister and intends to convene formal meetings with involved Cabinet ministers regarding the radar’s purpose and operational scope.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar defended the secrecy surrounding the deployment, explaining that public disclosure would have alertedly notified narcotraffickers and human smugglers about enhanced surveillance capabilities. The premature exposure by Guardian Media, she contended, eliminated the strategic advantage of covert implementation. The temporary system will remain operational until Trinidad and Tobago can procure and install a permanent, upgraded radar system independently. US personnel currently in Tobago include members of the Marine Expedition Unit conducting joint training exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force alongside technical specialists establishing access roads and installation infrastructure.