分类： politics

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has expressed her lack of surprise over Venezuela’s decision to suspend gas agreements with Trinidad and Tobago (TT). In a recent interview with CCN TV6’s Morning Edition, Beckles emphasized the need for Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to adopt a more measured tone in addressing the issue and to strengthen ties within the Caribbean Community (Caricom). The suspension was announced on October 27 by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who criticized Persad-Bissessar for her controversial remarks advocating violent measures against drug traffickers. This followed a US missile strike on September 2 that killed Venezuelans in international waters. Rodriguez also warned that TT’s economy would suffer without Venezuelan gas, accusing the US of attempting to control Venezuela’s natural resources. Beckles highlighted the economic implications for TT, where oil and gas remain critical revenue sources. She also questioned the government’s inconsistent stance on the Dragon gas deal, which was initially declared dead but later revived. Beckles urged the Prime Minister to clarify the nation’s position and stressed the importance of diplomacy, sovereignty, and maintaining the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace. She reiterated Caricom’s commitment to conflict resolution and called for a reduction in inflammatory rhetoric.

The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago is set to convene on October 31 at 1:30 pm to deliberate on the government’s proposal to extend the current state of emergency (SoE). This follows Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s announcement on the Crime Watch television show on October 27. Attorney General John Jeremie will present the motion seeking a three-month extension of the SoE, initially declared on July 18, 2025, in response to intelligence suggesting criminal gangs were plotting to destabilize the government. The SoE was previously extended on July 28 for three months, with legal provisions allowing for further extensions up to six months in total. The motion emphasizes the necessity of maintaining the SoE to ensure national security and public safety. Concurrently, the Senate will meet on October 22 to discuss amendments to excise duties on tobacco and alcoholic beverages, as outlined in the recent budget. These amendments propose doubling the duties on rum, spirits, beer, and cigarettes, reflecting the government’s fiscal strategy to address economic challenges.

The Opposition has strongly criticized the government for what it termed a premature conclusion to the 2024/2025 budget debate in the Senate on October 27. The debate ended abruptly at 9:57 PM after Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi completed his remarks, with Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Kennedy Swaratsingh, immediately moving to close the session. This left several key figures, including Opposition Senators Dr. Amery Browne and Foster Cummings, as well as senior government ministers, without the opportunity to contribute. Among those who did not speak were Attorney General John Jeremie, Leader of Government Business Darrell Allahar, and Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram, among others. Swaratsingh’s 16-minute wrap-up failed to address critical concerns raised by opposition and independent senators, including the implications of Venezuela’s cancellation of an energy framework agreement with Trinidad and Tobago, which could impact investments in the Manatee field operated by Shell. The Opposition also highlighted issues such as revenue shortfalls, unfunded public servant back pay, and overstated borrowing arrangements. The PNM accused the government of deliberately avoiding scrutiny and accountability, likening the Senate debate to the earlier House of Representatives debate, which also ended prematurely. The Senate is set to reconvene on October 29 to discuss amendments to excise duties on tobacco and alcoholic beverages, while the House will meet on October 31 to consider extending the state of emergency for another three months. The Constitution allows for a simple majority to extend the state of emergency, but a three-fifths majority is required for extensions beyond six months, posing a potential challenge in the Senate.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) remains resolute in the face of Venezuela’s proposal to suspend all gas agreements between the two nations. Speaking to Newsday via WhatsApp on October 27, Persad-Bissessar emphasized that TT’s economic future does not hinge on Venezuela, citing robust plans to diversify the economy across energy and non-energy sectors. She dismissed concerns over Venezuela’s actions, stating, “We are not susceptible to any blackmail from the Venezuelans for political support.”

Persad-Bissessar also addressed the ongoing fight against drug cartels, vowing that no external entity, including Venezuela, the opposition PNM party, or Caricom, would pressure her government into retreating. She expressed frustration over gang violence fueled by illegal drugs and arms trafficking, which has terrorized TT citizens. Despite these tensions, she reaffirmed that TT maintains peaceful relations with Venezuela.

The proposed suspension of gas agreements was announced by Venezuelan Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodríguez via state media Telesur. Rodríguez cited “hostile and aggressive actions” by TT, including alignment with the US’s “warrior agenda,” as reasons for the move. She referenced a recent incident involving a group allegedly linked to the CIA, accusing TT of enabling a “false-flag operation” to frame Venezuela. Rodríguez asserted that suspending the agreements was necessary to protect Venezuelan sovereignty.

TT’s Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs dismissed Rodríguez’s allegations as unfounded, clarifying that the presence of the USS Gravely, an American destroyer, in TT waters was part of a routine joint training exercise with the TT Defence Force. The ministry emphasized that the visit was consistent with longstanding regional security partnerships and denied any provocation.

Political analyst Dr. Anthony Gonzales warned that unresolved tensions could escalate, urging TT to engage in proactive diplomacy to reassure Venezuela. He stressed the importance of avoiding involvement in the geopolitical struggle between the US and Venezuela, recommending dialogue to diffuse the situation. Former foreign affairs minister Winston Dookeran echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the necessity of diplomacy.

Historically, TT and Venezuela have maintained a complex relationship centered on energy cooperation, with multiple gas agreements and joint projects. However, the current tensions highlight the fragility of this partnership amid broader geopolitical pressures.

The Court of Appeal in Trinidad and Tobago has consolidated several pending appeals challenging key provisions of the Bail (Amendment) Act 2024, which significantly altered the bail process for individuals charged with murder. The amendment removed the presumption in favor of bail, requiring accused persons to demonstrate exceptional circumstances to secure release. The Act was introduced to tighten bail restrictions for serious offenses, particularly murder. At a hearing on October 27, Justices Gillian Lucky, Mira Dean-Armorer, and Carla Brown-Antoine highlighted the divergent interpretations of the amended law by High Court judges. To ensure judicial consistency, the appellate panels agreed to hear all related appeals together in early 2026. Justice Lucky emphasized the importance of this issue, noting that attorneys for appellants will have access to submissions from other cases and may file additional arguments by November 30. She also urged lawyers to review the Hansard record, as one of the appeal questions was initially raised in Parliament by the then-opposition. The Chief Justice approved the consolidation of cases, and several legal bodies, including the Public Defenders’ Department, the Law Association, the Criminal Bar Association, and the Office of the Attorney General, will be invited to contribute as interested parties. The Bail (Amendment) Act 2024 was enacted following the Privy Council’s 2022 ruling in Akili Charles, which deemed the previous blanket denial of bail for murder accused unconstitutional. The amended law permits judges to grant bail if exceptional circumstances are proven, imposes a 120-day restriction on bail for serious offenses, and mandates a five-year review of its operation. Courts have since grappled with interpreting Section 5 of the Act, particularly whether it allows bail applications after 180 days in custody or one year without trial without requiring proof of exceptional circumstances. The state maintains that the amendment does not create an automatic right to bail but merely allows applications after a specified period, still requiring exceptional circumstances. Justice Lucky stressed the need for a consistent judicial approach, asking, ‘What is the correct test to be applied?’ Additionally, three appeals against convictions and sentences for various offenses were withdrawn during the hearing, with the judges affirming the convictions and ordering that sentences commence from the dates of conviction. A fourth appeal was also withdrawn.

Independent Senator and economist Dr. Marlene Attzs has raised significant concerns about Trinidad and Tobago’s 2025/2026 national budget, stating that it lacks critical details and may fail to achieve its people-centered objectives. Speaking during the Senate budget debate on October 27, Attzs acknowledged the budget’s ‘Trinidad and Tobago first’ approach as commendable but emphasized that fairness must be the guiding principle in evaluating its policies and priorities. She argued that a credible budget must go beyond good intentions and address pressing issues such as crime, foreign exchange shortages, and rising debt. Attzs highlighted the absence of a target debt-to-GDP ratio and questioned the government’s plan to borrow $18.96 billion, particularly the shift toward foreign borrowing, which could increase costs and exchange risks. She also criticized the closure of social programs like Cepep and URP, which provided employment and environmental benefits, and questioned whether the $475 million unemployment fund in the budget adequately replaces them. Attzs stressed the need for fiscal responsibility and sustainability, warning that borrowing to fund consumption could burden future generations. She called for a comprehensive national employment strategy that includes former Cepep and URP workers.