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Former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has called on the current government to disclose the specifics of the six-month OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) license obtained from the United States to negotiate a Dragon gas deal with Venezuela. Rowley emphasized that withholding such details could pose significant risks to Trinidad and Tobago, potentially endangering the future of its children. His statement came on October 10, following Attorney General John Jeremie’s announcement that the government had secured the license on October 8 to engage in negotiations with Venezuela. Jeremie clarified that the license, issued under specific executive orders, permits employees, affiliates, contractors, and service providers of TT, NGC, Shell PLC, and Futura Clara Ltd to conduct transactions with Venezuela’s state-owned energy company, PDVSA. However, Jeremie did not elaborate on the terms of the arrangement, only noting that it differed from the approach taken by the previous PNM administration. While the former government sought to license the entire project, the current administration has adopted a “tiered approach,” with the license extending until April 2026. Jeremie also highlighted that the license was secured at a cost of less than half a million dollars, a stark contrast to the PNM’s expenditure of over $120 million, which yielded no results after two years. Rowley criticized the government for not engaging directly with Venezuela, as his administration had done, and accused the current leadership of mismanagement and negligence since 2016. He also questioned the government’s reliance on Shell to negotiate the deal, expressing concerns about who would protect Trinidad and Tobago’s interests in the process. Rowley warned that the government’s handling of the matter could jeopardize the nation’s economic future, particularly its energy sector, and called for greater transparency and accountability.

The House of Representatives in Trinidad and Tobago witnessed a heated and chaotic debate on October 10, 2025, over the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) (Amendment) Bill. The proposed legislation aimed to reinstate justices of the peace (JPs) and other legal officers with the authority to issue search warrants, a power previously removed in 2023. However, the session quickly devolved into a shouting match between government and opposition MPs, highlighting deep political divisions. Opposition MP Kareem Marcelle accused certain JPs of approving search warrants without proper details, alleging potential political persecution. House Leader Barry Padarath countered with procedural objections, leading to a prolonged and acrimonious exchange. Speaker Jagdeo Singh repeatedly intervened, urging decorum but to little avail. The bill eventually passed with 27 votes in favor and 12 against, but not without exposing the contentious nature of the issue. Minister of Land and Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein defended the bill, emphasizing the rigorous appointment process for JPs and vowing to address administrative shortcomings. The debate underscored the challenges of balancing judicial efficiency with constitutional safeguards in Trinidad and Tobago’s legal system.

In a significant development for Venezuela’s political landscape, opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on October 10. The Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee recognized her relentless efforts to promote democratic rights and her peaceful struggle to transition Venezuela from dictatorship to democracy. This recognition has been hailed by international relations experts as a potential catalyst for change in the South American nation. Professor Andy Knight of the University of Alberta noted that the award could amplify international pressure on the Nicolás Maduro regime, urging it to allow free and fair elections. Machado’s leadership, now bolstered by the Nobel Prize, positions her as a symbol of hope and resistance against authoritarianism, potentially inspiring more Venezuelans to join her movement. The Committee highlighted Venezuela’s transformation from a prosperous democracy to an authoritarian state grappling with humanitarian and economic crises. While the award has drawn global attention, it has also sparked controversy. U.S. President Donald Trump, who had been nominated for the prize earlier this year, expressed his dissatisfaction through his communications director, Steven Cheung, who accused the Committee of prioritizing politics over peace. Machado, however, acknowledged Trump’s support, dedicating part of the award to him and emphasizing the importance of international solidarity in achieving freedom and democracy in Venezuela.

The Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) has expressed concerns over the government’s fiscal management ahead of the budget presentation scheduled for October 13. Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles, speaking at a media briefing on October 10, highlighted the challenges posed by declining oil prices and production, which are critical to the nation’s revenue. With oil prices hovering around US$50 per barrel, Beckles questioned how the government plans to address the budget deficit, given the numerous promises made during the April 28 general election campaign. Former Finance Minister Colm Imbert echoed these concerns, stating that the government faces significant hurdles due to reduced oil revenues. Imbert emphasized that the budget estimates, unless inflated, will not meet the revenue requirements to sustain the country’s operations. He projected a budget expenditure of approximately $60 billion but warned that generating such revenue would be ‘very, very difficult.’ Imbert also criticized the government’s decision to abolish property tax and shut down the TT Revenue Authority, questioning the administration’s strategy for revenue generation. Beckles raised additional concerns about job losses, particularly in programs like Cepep, URP, and the Reforestation Programme, which were discontinued earlier this year due to allegations of corruption. She highlighted the plight of over 40,000 individuals left unemployed and called for urgent government action. Both Beckles and Imbert stressed the importance of timely salary payments, recalling instances where pensioners were unable to cash their cheques due to insufficient funds. The opposition leaders urged the government to address these issues transparently and responsibly in the upcoming budget.

A heated parliamentary debate on October 10 culminated in Opposition MPs staging a walkout over the appointment of Junior Benjamin as Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) and the promotion of ACP Kurt Simon to Acting Deputy Commissioner. While both officers have previously held these roles, the debate centered on the timing and procedural concerns surrounding their appointments, particularly during a state of emergency (SoE) declared by the incumbent CoP, Allister Guevarro, who is set to attend an international conference in Denver, Colorado, from October 18-21. MP Marvin Gonzales criticized the absence of senior police leadership during a critical period, citing 72 murders since the SoE was declared. Despite Opposition support for Benjamin and Simon, Gonzales emphasized the need for accountability and governance. Government Leader Barry Padarath defended the appointments, asserting that the travel was strategic and aimed at strengthening international partnerships. The debate grew contentious, with frequent objections and accusations of bias against Speaker Jagdeo Singh, who ruled most objections out of order. The Opposition’s walkout was followed by a PNM statement condemning the Speaker’s perceived partiality, claiming a pattern of unfair treatment. The motion ultimately passed with Government MPs voting in favor.