分类： politics

SAN FERNANDO EAST MP Brian Manning has issued a stark warning that Trinidad and Tobago’s proposed landlord tax could trigger widespread homelessness, escalating his political confrontation with Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo. The former finance ministry minister challenged the government’s characterization of the tax as fundamentally different from previous property tax proposals.

In a December 9th phone interview, Manning systematically dismantled the government’s position, asserting that the landlord tax mirrors the very property tax structure that the current administration previously opposed. He revealed the tax operates on two tiers: 2.5% on annual rental income below $20,000 and 3.5% on gross annual rental income exceeding that threshold.

“This version actually proves more expensive than what the PNM had been proposing,” Manning stated, highlighting what he called the government’s “bold-face hypocrisy.” He emphasized that even homeowners renting single rooms would be subject to the tax, potentially forcing residential property classifications to commercial status.

The MP particularly criticized the $2,500 registration fee, noting landlords must pay this substantial amount before generating any rental income. He contextualized this within broader fiscal measures including electricity surcharges, increased alcohol costs, and new fees on imported goods through container processing charges and doubled customs declaration fees.

Manning expressed grave concern for vulnerable populations, specifically mentioning former CEPEP and URP workers who lost their livelihoods under current policies. “The Minister of Finance, after putting 50,000 people on the breadline overnight, is now trying to also put them on the street,” he declared, predicting these measures would inevitably increase living costs beyond what many citizens can afford.

The controversial tax legislation, detailed in the Finance Bill 2025, already passed the Lower House on December 5th and is currently undergoing Senate debate. Manning condemned the overall budget as “the most mismatched, thoughtless, confused budget that I have seen in my entire life,” warning it could decimate multiple industries while creating a housing crisis potentially requiring government-provided free housing for displaced citizens.

In an unprecedented display of cross-party unity, Tobago’s political leadership has issued a joint demand for the immediate removal of a covert US military radar installation at ANR Robinson International Airport. The Innovative Democratic Alliance (IDA), People’s National Movement (PNM), and Class Action Reform Movement (CARM) convened at James Park, Scarborough on December 10, expressing grave concerns over national security transparency and potential targeting of the island in escalating regional conflicts.

IDA leader Denise Tsoiafatt Angus revealed the radar system—identified as an AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR aerial surveillance unit—effectively transforms Tobago into a primary military target capable of intercepting missiles and monitoring Venezuelan activities. She painted a harrowing picture of potential consequences: ‘We could witness televised scenes of devastation—children mutilated, mothers weeping—with prolonged warfare lasting years rather than days.’

Tsoiafatt Angus highlighted the ominous presence of international naval forces near Tobago’s waters, suggesting imminent military action. ‘These vessels await their strike signals—whether before, during, or after Christmas remains uncertain, but their mobilization signals undeniable intent.’

CARM leader Ricardo Phillip praised the collaborative effort, emphasizing that public safety transcends political divisions. He criticized the administration’s opaque communication strategy: ‘While classified information requires discretion, the current crypto-political agenda with excessive secrecy disrespects Tobagonians’ right to basic explanations about equipment purpose and installation authority.’

PNM Tobago Council leader Ancil Dennis underscored the critical nature of unilateral military deployments without public consultation, noting Grenada had previously rejected similar arrangements through democratic processes. ‘We demand cessation of unauthorized military asset accumulation on our island and immediate radar removal,’ he stated.

The controversy emerged after a US military transport plane was spotted at the airport in November. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar initially claimed US Marines were assisting with roadworks, later admitting knowledge of the radar but citing national security concerns for her secrecy. Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine denied prior awareness, prompting emergency meetings with Defense Ministry officials.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago has declared that unregistered vessels operating in Caribbean waters will be treated as pirate ships, granting them no legal protections. This statement comes amid growing controversy over US military strikes targeting suspected drug trafficking boats in regional waters.

Speaking to journalists outside the Red House in Port of Spain on December 9, Persad-Bissessar addressed reports of a September 2 incident where US forces allegedly struck a boat twice—a tactic known as ‘double tapping’ in military terminology—resulting in eleven fatalities. While expressing no sympathy for drug traffickers, the Prime Minister emphasized that the United States operates as a sovereign nation whose actions fall outside Trinidad and Tobago’s jurisdiction to judge.

‘US is a sovereign nation and they are free to exercise their sovereignty in manners they see fit,’ Persad-Bissessar stated. ‘I cannot be judge or jury here to determine whether they are right or wrong.’

The Prime Minister revealed that her government receives no advance notification of US military actions and does not intend to request additional information, characterizing these operations as US security matters. She articulated a firm stance on unregistered vessels: ‘Within the law, they are treated like pirates and therefore will not have the protection of others carrying a flag and identifying who they are.’

However, maritime lawyer Nyree Alfonso offered a more nuanced perspective, noting that while unregistered vessels might be ‘up to no good,’ they aren’t necessarily pirates in the legal sense. She explained that vessel registration functions as a maritime passport, and without it, boats become ‘almost like a ghost’ without national protection.

Alfonso acknowledged that while many might disagree with the US methodology, the results of disrupting drug trafficking networks would likely be welcomed by law-abiding citizens. She emphasized the interconnected nature of maritime crimes, noting that drug trafficking often correlates with gun running and human trafficking operations.

The ongoing US interdiction operations have resulted in at least 87 fatalities across nearly two dozen strikes since September, highlighting the intensifying efforts to combat drug cartels operating in Caribbean and South American waters.