标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a fiery campaign launch at Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort on December 13, People’s National Movement leader Pennelope Beckles issued a stark warning to Tobagonians about impending election manipulation tactics. The “Red Revival” event marked the official presentation of PNM candidates for the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly elections.

Beckles revealed intelligence about substantial resources being prepared for shipment to Tobago, explicitly stating: “There is money galore. I want to remind you that in Trinidad particularly, they went to certain constituencies offering ham, lamb and jam; offering from microwave, bed, fridge, stove.” She cautioned citizens against accepting last-minute electoral gifts, emphasizing that genuine development requires consistent commitment rather than seasonal generosity.

The opposition leader delivered a direct message to Tobago People’s Party leader Farley Augustine: “He needs to understand that next year the PNM celebrates 70 years as a party. PNM people here in Tobago, we have travelled this road before, we are a resilient party.” She invoked the party’s historical legacy, naming prominent figures including Orville London, Kelvin Charles, and Tracy Davidson-Celestine while comparing the party’s resilience to the balisier symbol that regenerates after being cut or burned.

Meanwhile, THA Minority Leader Kelvon Morris extended an olive branch to former PNM members now aligned with other parties. He specifically addressed TPP candidate Keigon Denoon, Tobago West MP Joel “Nuttsy” Sampson, and several other officials, urging them to “come back home to the arms of the PNM.” Morris emphasized the party’s readiness to “rescue Tobago and put Tobago first again” under what he described as exemplary leadership.

The PNM unveiled its full slate of candidates across Tobago’s electoral districts, including Ancil Dennis for Buccoo/Mt. Pleasant, Karyn Forbes for Plymouth/Black Rock, and Petal Daniel-Benoit for Scarborough/Mt Grace, signaling their comprehensive preparation for the January 12 electoral contest.

The Trinidad and Tobago government has formally authorized United States military aircraft to utilize Piarco International Airport and ANR Robinson International Airport for logistical operations in the coming weeks. This decision emerges within the broader context of the U.S. military’s expanded presence in the southern Caribbean, initiated in August, and aligns with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s commitment to bilateral security cooperation.

The approval was confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs on December 15, clarifying that the flights are for logistical support, including replenishment and routine personnel rotations. Foreign Minister Sean Sobers emphasized that this forms part of the ongoing, close engagement between the ministry and the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain.

This development coincides with the recent publication of the U.S. National Security Strategy 2025, signed by President Donald Trump. The document outlines a renewed foreign policy approach termed the ‘Trump Corollary’ to the Monroe Doctrine, asserting a goal to ‘reassert and enforce American pre-eminence in the Western Hemisphere’ and deny strategic positioning to ‘non-hemispheric competitors.’

The bilateral cooperation has yielded tangible assets for Trinidad and Tobago, including the recent installation of an advanced AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system at the Tobago airport by U.S. Marines in November. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar disclosed that this radar system has already aided in significant narcotics interdictions, citing a recent police seizure of $171 million worth of marijuana.

While the government frames this collaboration as essential for regional safety, drug interdiction, and enhanced surveillance capabilities, it has not been without domestic controversy. The political opposition, the PNM, has questioned the military presence and the specific placement of the radar in Tobago, claims the Prime Minister has rejected by alleging connections between the opposition and drug cartels.

The strategic U.S. deployment, which now includes an aircraft carrier strike group and nuclear submarines, originates from the ongoing territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the Essequibo region. Persad-Bissessar has stated Trinidad and Tobago would permit U.S. troop operations on its soil if Venezuela incurs into Guyana and a formal request is made under the existing Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). This stance has created a divergence with other CARICOM leaders who advocate for the Caribbean to remain a ‘zone of peace.’

In a unanimous decision marking continuity in diplomatic leadership, Trinidad and Tobago’s Consular Corps executive committee has been reinstated for the 2025-2026 term. The reappointment occurred during the organization’s annual general meeting convened on December 10 at Furness House.

The leadership triumvirate remains unchanged with Dean William Ferreira (representing Portugal) continuing at the helm, supported by Secretary Om Lalla (Slovenia) and Treasurer Troy Garcia (Finland). This collective stewardship oversees the diplomatic interests of approximately 32 nations accredited to the Caribbean nation.

The Consular Corps functions as the institutional backbone for diplomats and honorary consuls operating within Trinidad and Tobago. According to a December 11 release, these representatives serve as critical conduits between their home nations and the host country, facilitating multilateral cooperation across diplomatic, economic, trade, tourism, and cultural domains.

Beyond fostering international relations, corps members deliver essential consular services including passport processing, citizenship documentation, and notarial authentication for their respective citizens. Their mandate extends to providing comprehensive information dissemination to both their national communities and the general public.

The corps’ operational responsibilities encompass emergency assistance coordination for citizens in distress, alongside visa issuance and advisory services for foreigners seeking to visit the diplomats’ home countries. This structural continuity ensures maintained operational excellence in bilateral diplomatic engagements throughout the upcoming term.

Arima Mayor Balliram Maharaj has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding his appearance at a United National Congress (UNC) fundraising dinner on December 13th, stating his presence was motivated by personal rather than political reasons. The prominent businessman, who was sworn into office in September 2023 as a member of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM), found himself at the center of social media speculation after photographs emerged showing him alongside Phillip Alexander, Minister in the Ministry of Housing.

In an exclusive interview, Mayor Maharaj revealed that his attendance stemmed from profound personal loneliness following the passing of his wife nearly five years ago. He attended as a guest of his nephew, who has been his primary companion and support system since becoming widowed. “I reside alone in a large house,” Maharaj explained. “He’s the only one who regularly takes me out. He treats me like a son and looks after my wellbeing.”

The Mayor acknowledged that he only became aware of the event’s political nature upon arrival but expressed admiration for the organization and execution of the function. Between approximately 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM, he observed attendees questioning his presence given his PNM affiliation. Rather than apologizing, Maharaj used the opportunity to call for an end to divisive partisan politics in Trinidad and Tobago.

“I believe it is time we move beyond this culture of political hostility,” Maharaj stated. “Political allegiance should not create divisions among our people. After sixty-three years of independence, it is imperative that we focus on building a unified nation where every creed and race occupies an equal place.” He articulated his vision for Trinidad as “one nation, one people, one love” where citizens can collectively enjoy the country’s cultural, religious, and recreational wealth.

Regarding the controversial photograph with Minister Alexander, Maharaj clarified that the initiative came from the Minister himself. “I am not particularly familiar with him, but we exchanged greetings. He subsequently approached me suggesting we take a picture together, which I agreed to.”

In a significant revelation, Mayor Maharaj disclosed he is contemplating resignation from his mayoral position to dedicate more time to family. He had initially committed to a two-year term when persuaded by former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley to contest the 2023 local government elections. Having served twenty-eight months, Maharaj indicated he would evaluate key developmental projects for Arima within the next six months before making a final decision.

His completion criteria include the establishment of a new Town Hall building, operational Social Welfare and Inland Revenue offices, new facilities for the Election and Boundaries Commission, an administration building, and progress on an indoor sporting complex on O’Meara Road. He emphasized the economic efficiency of consolidating multiple services within existing infrastructure.

Despite the political controversy, Maharaj continued his official duties by hosting approximately 2,000 children at the Arima Velodrome on December 14th for the Borough Corporation’s annual Christmas celebration. The event featured gift distributions, recreational activities, costume characters, complimentary barber services, and an educational police interaction booth.

Venezuela has abruptly severed all energy cooperation agreements with Trinidad and Tobago, escalating regional tensions following a disputed oil tanker interception by US forces. The decision was formally announced on December 15 through an official statement shared by Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez.

The diplomatic rupture stems from Venezuela’s allegation that Trinidadian authorities had prior knowledge of the US military’s December 10 interception of the crude oil tanker ‘Skipper’ off the Venezuelan coast. The vessel, reportedly transporting Venezuelan oil to Cuba, was seized in what Caracas characterizes as ‘an act of piracy violating international law and principles of free navigation.’

Venezuelan authorities explicitly condemned what they termed Trinidad’s transformation into ‘a US aircraft carrier to attack Venezuela,’ referencing Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s alleged ‘hostile agenda’ since her United National Congress party’s April election victory. The statement further referenced the October 27 termination of the Framework Agreement on Energy Cooperation between the nations.

Trinidadian leadership has vigorously rejected these allegations. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar dismissed Venezuela’s claims as ‘false propaganda,’ asserting that complaints should be directed toward the Trump administration rather than Trinidad. She emphasized the nation’s energy self-sufficiency, stating: ‘We have never depended on Venezuela for natural gas supplies. We have adequate reserves within our territory.’

Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal echoed these sentiments, characterizing Venezuela’s statement as ‘hypocritical’ given Venezuela’s ongoing engagements with US energy giant Chevron. Both officials identified bureaucratic inefficiencies rather than international relations as the primary constraint on Trinidad’s energy development.

Opposition leader Stuart Young expressed profound concern regarding the termination’s potential impact on critical cross-border energy projects, particularly the Loran-Manatee field unitization agreement and Shell’s development of the Manatee field scheduled for 2027 production. Young warned this development compounds existing challenges including Nutrien’s closure and the National Gas Company’s failure to negotiate new contracts.

The incident occurs against the backdrop of Venezuela’s October declaration of Persad-Bissessar as persona non grata following her support for US military deployment in the Caribbean—a move she defends as necessary for combating drug trafficking, while Venezuela maintains US intentions center on regime change.