分类： politics

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago has announced plans to extend the country’s state of emergency (SoE), citing recommendations from the Commissioner of Police. The announcement was made during an interview on the prime-time TV programme *Crime Watch* hosted by Ian Alleyne on October 27. The current SoE, initially declared on July 18 and extended on July 28, was set to expire on October 28. A parliamentary motion to extend it further has been scheduled for debate on October 31, requiring a three-fifths majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The SoE grants law enforcement expanded powers, including the authority to arrest suspects without bail and conduct searches of public and private premises. Additionally, several prisoners have been relocated from the Maximum Security Prison to military bases. The extension comes amid heightened regional tensions, particularly between the United States and Venezuela, though the Prime Minister denied any direct connection to these geopolitical issues. Separately, an unverified document circulating on social media suggests a new policy to detain illegal immigrants at the Immigration Detention Centre in Aripo as part of a potential mass-deportation exercise. The authenticity of the document remains unconfirmed. The Prime Minister also reiterated that Trinidad and Tobago would not serve as a base for U.S. military operations in the region, despite the recent docking of the USS Gravely for training and humanitarian purposes.

Independent Senator Alicia Pauline Lalite-Ettienne has urged the government to be transparent with the public about the challenging times ahead, as she sharply criticized the 2026 budget for its contradictory measures. Speaking during her first contribution to the Senate budget debate on October 27, Lalite-Ettienne likened the budget to a Christmas tree adorned with glitter, yet warned that not all that glitters is gold. She acknowledged that the budget’s optimistic language might provide hope to a population in need, but emphasized that many of its policies would ultimately burden citizens by raising the cost of living. Lalite-Ettienne highlighted specific measures, such as a $1 reduction in the price of super gasoline, which she dismissed as a distraction from broader tax increases. She pointed to new levies on banks, insurance companies, and electricity, as well as increased fees and excise duties, which she argued would reduce disposable income for citizens. The senator also criticized the government’s abrupt termination of contracts under the Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (Cepep) and the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP), calling for transitional measures to support affected workers. She stressed that while the government promised full-time employment as a replacement, immediate action was needed to prevent hardship. Lalite-Ettienne concluded by urging the government to be upfront about the economic challenges ahead, rather than masking them with superficial benefits.

The USS Gravely, a US naval warship, has docked at the Port of Port of Spain for a five-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago (TT), concluding on October 30. This visit is part of joint training exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), aimed at enhancing tactical readiness, operational efficiency, and maintaining international standards of excellence. However, the Opposition has raised concerns, labeling the visit as a threat to national sovereignty and security. In a letter to the editor, Leisha S. Dhoray strongly condemns the Opposition’s stance, describing it as misguided, irresponsible, and unpatriotic. Dhoray argues that the Opposition’s reaction is based on fear-mongering and misinformation, with no evidence to support their claims. She highlights the positive outcomes of previous US-TT defense collaborations, such as the Tradewinds 2025 exercise and the USNS Comfort’s medical mission, which brought free healthcare to hundreds of citizens. Dhoray emphasizes that the USS Gravely’s visit is a continuation of constructive defense cooperation, aimed at advancing regional security, strengthening defense partnerships, and building mutual trust. She calls on the Opposition to support initiatives that strengthen national security and global partnerships, rather than engaging in reckless political grandstanding.

In a decisive move to combat the escalating drug crisis, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago (TT), has aligned herself with the United States in its efforts to curb drug exportation from Venezuela. This strategic decision, though met with criticism from her Caribbean counterparts, underscores her commitment to prioritizing national security over political alliances.

Persad-Bissessar’s stance comes amidst allegations that Venezuela has been using TT as a transit point for drug trafficking, exacerbating the country’s already high crime rates. After nearly a decade of deliberation, the Prime Minister has chosen to break away from the status quo, distancing herself from Venezuelan leaders Nicolás Maduro and Delcy Rodríguez. Instead, she has engaged with US officials, including Senator Marco Rubio, to formulate a collaborative plan to address the issue.

Her decision has not been without controversy. Fellow members of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) have expressed disapproval, isolating her and criticizing her departure from the collective regional stance. This has led to TT losing Caricom’s support for a seat on the United Nations Security Council. However, Persad-Bissessar remains undeterred, viewing the fight against drug trafficking, gun violence, and human smuggling as paramount. Her unwavering dedication has become the cornerstone of her leadership, even at the cost of her political career.

In essence, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has chosen to put her country’s safety and security above all else, demonstrating a rare willingness to sacrifice personal and political gains for the greater good.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has leveled serious accusations against Trinidad and Tobago, alleging collaboration with the United States and the CIA to incite military tensions in the Caribbean. In a televised address on October 28, Maduro claimed that recent joint military exercises involving a US Navy destroyer were part of a broader strategy to destabilize Venezuela. He further announced the suspension of all gas and energy-related agreements with Trinidad and Tobago, citing strained relations with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the country’s acceptance of US military presence in the region. Maduro also asserted that Venezuelan security forces had intercepted a group of CIA-funded mercenaries, uncovering plans for a high-level attack involving US naval units near Venezuelan waters. Although he provided no specific timeline for the capture, Maduro claimed to have shared ‘some clues’ with Trinidad and Tobago but refused to present evidence to the US, accusing them of collusion with the CIA. He referenced historical grievances, suggesting Trinidad and Tobago were once part of Venezuelan territory before British colonization. Drawing parallels to past US military incidents, Maduro likened the current tensions to the sinking of the USS Maine in 1898 and the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964, both of which he described as self-inflicted provocations. He accused Persad-Bissessar of supporting conflict and praised Venezuelans for protesting against what he termed ‘imperialist threats.’ Maduro also claimed Venezuela had thwarted three terrorist operations in recent months, including a plot to bomb Victory Square in Caracas, and vowed to defend the nation’s sovereignty and peace.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago has recently drawn sharp criticism for her inflammatory and undiplomatic language, raising concerns about her suitability for public office. On October 24, the United National Congress (UNC) leader launched an unsubstantiated attack on the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), accusing them of protecting the illegal profits of drug mafia financiers. Earlier that day, she referred to the leadership of the Law Association, a statutory body dedicated to legal advocacy, as “eat-a-food filth.” These remarks followed her earlier call for the U.S. military to “kill them all violently” in response to summary executions at sea by the Trump administration, suggesting traffickers should be “blown to pieces.” When questioned about the extrajudicial nature of such actions, she dismissively stated, “People are saying no due process, no law – whatever.” Collectively, these incidents paint a troubling picture of a leader prone to reckless and unfitting rhetoric. Despite her attempts to moderate her language in subsequent press interactions, her cavalier attitude toward facts persisted. For instance, she falsely claimed that Dr. Keith Rowley, the former Prime Minister who advocated for Caribbean peace, had been voted out of office, when in fact, he stepped down voluntarily. Her attempts to link the country’s murder rate to narco-trafficking also lack nuance, ignoring the complex socio-economic factors at play. While Dr. Rowley’s tenure was not without controversy, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar’s conduct appears to emulate the radical right, further alienating her from a multicultural and harmonious society. Her party’s electoral victory, achieved with just 30% of the electorate in a historically low voter turnout, does not equate to broad social consensus. This disconnect makes her posturing even more divisive, both domestically and internationally.

In a decisive move against drug trafficking networks, the United States has carried out three targeted strikes in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals allegedly involved in narcotics operations. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the operation on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that the strikes were executed under the directives of President Donald Trump. The operation, conducted on October 27, targeted four vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organisations (DTOs) known for trafficking narcotics. Hegseth detailed that the vessels were identified by US intelligence and were traversing established drug smuggling routes. The strikes, which occurred in international waters, resulted in no harm to US forces. Hegseth also noted that the US Southern Command initiated search-and-rescue protocols, with Mexican authorities taking over the coordination. He underscored the US commitment to combating narco-terrorism, stating that these groups have caused more American deaths than Al-Qaeda and will be treated with the same severity. ‘We will track them, network them, and then hunt and kill them,’ Hegseth declared.

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.