标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Dr Amery Browne, an opposition senator and vice-chairman of the People’s National Movement (PNM), has formally reported online death threats made against him and his family to the police. The incident, disclosed in a Facebook post on November 22, marks a troubling escalation in the political landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. Browne, who previously served as Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs under both the Patrick Manning and Dr Keith Rowley administrations, shared screenshots of the threatening comments posted on his Facebook wall. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, ‘I have been involved in active politics since 2007 and have never encountered anything like this.’ Browne assured the public that he is treating the matter with utmost seriousness, highlighting the need for accountability and security in the face of such threats.

The Trinidad and Tobago Parliament witnessed a tumultuous session on November 21, 2025, as the debate over the Virtual Assets and Virtual Assets Service Providers Bill descended into procedural chaos. The bill, aimed at regulating the cryptocurrency industry, became a focal point of contention when over 200 proposed amendments were handed to the opposition mere minutes before the debate commenced. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, who introduced the bill in September, had previously engaged with stakeholders, including Attorney General John Jeremie, Central Bank Governor Larry Howai, and crypto industry representatives, to refine the legislation. However, the late disclosure of amendments sparked outrage among opposition members. Diego Martin East MP Colm Imbert led the charge, accusing the government of undermining parliamentary principles by failing to provide adequate time for review. Imbert described the amendments as a ‘contempt of Parliament,’ arguing that they fundamentally altered the bill’s structure and intent. The procedural impasse left both sides unable to meaningfully debate the proposed changes, leading to what Imbert termed a ‘pappy-show.’ Despite the controversy, the bill was eventually passed with a vote of 25-11 after amendments were discussed in the committee stage. The legislation is critical for Trinidad and Tobago’s compliance with Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (C-FATF) recommendations ahead of a March 2026 on-site assessment. While the opposition supports cryptocurrency regulation, they criticized the bill as draconian and anti-innovation, warning it could stifle entrepreneurship and drive away innovators. Jeremie defended the government’s approach, emphasizing the need for stakeholder consultation and timely compliance with international standards.

A recent parliamentary session in Trinidad and Tobago was marred by a hot-mic incident that has sparked widespread controversy. During the debate on the Virtual Assets and Virtual Assets Service Providers Bill, 2025, proceedings were temporarily halted as House Speaker Jagdeo Singh addressed a standing order objection raised by the opposition. However, microphones remained active, capturing a voice from the government benches uttering what appeared to be a derogatory remark: ‘Hush yuh mouth, boy. Go and take yuh lil man.’ The rest of the comment was inaudible, and all microphones were muted shortly thereafter. Newsday attempted to contact the government minister believed to be responsible for the comment but received no response by the time of publication. This incident echoes a similar controversy in October 2024, when then-energy minister Stuart Young was heard on an open microphone making homophobic remarks. Young avoided being referred to the Privileges Committee by issuing a public apology. House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George had condemned Young’s comments as ‘reprehensible’ and ‘despicable,’ urging MPs to refrain from making ‘misogynistic, homophobic, and disparaging’ remarks. The recurrence of such incidents raises concerns about the conduct of parliamentarians and the need for greater accountability in public discourse.