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In a recent post-cabinet press briefing held at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, Sean Sobers, reaffirmed the government’s uncompromising stance on the deportation of illegal migrants. The briefing, attended by Local Government Minister Khadijah Ameen and Nicholas Morris, parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, saw Sobers address concerns raised by Newsday regarding the government’s hard-line position on mass deportations. Sobers emphasized that the government’s policy aligns with the Immigration Act, which categorizes illegal entry and overstaying as criminal offenses, warranting deportation. He dismissed suggestions to soften the approach, stating that the government stands by the position articulated by Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander. Sobers also addressed concerns about the treatment of migrants, drawing parallels to controversial practices in the United States, but maintained that Trinidad and Tobago’s immigration authorities operate within normal legal frameworks. Additionally, he responded to reports of Trinidadian nationals allegedly killed in US military strikes on drug boats, promising to investigate but cautioning against unfounded allegations. Sobers also commented on recent political tensions with Venezuela, including the Venezuelan National Assembly’s criticism of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and reiterated Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to democratic principles.

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has called on its divisions to limit their expenditures for the fiscal year 2026. This directive was announced by THA Secretary of Finance, Trade, and Economy, Petal Ann Roberts, during a media briefing following a post-budget retreat held at the Mt Irvine Bay Hotel on October 29. The retreat, chaired by THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, focused on the fiscal 2026 budget allocations and the assembly’s five percent share of the national budget. Discussions included last year’s achievements and challenges, as well as future policies and actions. Roberts emphasized the retreat’s inclusive nature, with inputs from all secretaries, assistant secretaries, and administrators on their achievements, strategies, and cost-saving measures. The THA has received a total of $2.96 billion, including allocations for Cepep and URP programs, which are crucial for Tobago’s development. The strategy discussed aims to constrain expenditures to fiscal 2025 levels, with a shift of approximately $300 million from recurrent to development, bringing the revised development allocation to $501 million. Six priority areas were identified: tourism, agriculture, digital transformation, human capital development, investment in micro, small, and medium enterprises, and infrastructure. Health, education, and community development were also highlighted as critical areas. Roberts will present a revised budget detailing the projects, their impact, and costs at an upcoming house sitting. Augustine confirmed that a full re-prioritization will be provided within two weeks from October 29.

Members of Parliament (MPs) in Trinidad and Tobago are set to convene on October 31 to deliberate on the government’s proposal for a second extension of the state of emergency (SoE). The decision, which requires only a simple majority in the House of Representatives, appears to be a foregone conclusion, as both government and opposition MPs have remained tight-lipped in their responses to media inquiries. The motion does not necessitate approval from the Senate, where independent benches hold moderating influence. The issue was expected to be addressed during a post-Cabinet briefing on October 30 at the Diplomatic Centre in St. Ann’s. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, when contacted via WhatsApp, indicated that her MPs would caucus that afternoon to discuss the matter. The SoE was initially declared on July 18 following a public statement by Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro, who warned of criminal gangs targeting public figures in politics and criminal justice. The House previously extended the SoE by three months on July 28, and MPs will now decide whether to grant another three-month extension. The Trinidad and Tobago Constitution outlines the procedure for extending the SoE, with the first two extensions requiring only a simple majority. However, any third extension would demand a special majority in the House and Senate approval. Attorney General John Jeremie’s motion will argue that the extension is ‘necessary and expedient.’ Meanwhile, government MPs have not responded to media inquiries, leaving reporters to await clarification at the post-Cabinet briefing. During the briefing, officials highlighted measurable decreases in crime as justification for the extension, while dismissing any connection to US-Venezuela tensions.