标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Independent Senator and economist Dr. Marlene Attzs has raised significant concerns about Trinidad and Tobago’s 2025/2026 national budget, stating that it lacks critical details and may fail to achieve its people-centered objectives. Speaking during the Senate budget debate on October 27, Attzs acknowledged the budget’s ‘Trinidad and Tobago first’ approach as commendable but emphasized that fairness must be the guiding principle in evaluating its policies and priorities. She argued that a credible budget must go beyond good intentions and address pressing issues such as crime, foreign exchange shortages, and rising debt. Attzs highlighted the absence of a target debt-to-GDP ratio and questioned the government’s plan to borrow $18.96 billion, particularly the shift toward foreign borrowing, which could increase costs and exchange risks. She also criticized the closure of social programs like Cepep and URP, which provided employment and environmental benefits, and questioned whether the $475 million unemployment fund in the budget adequately replaces them. Attzs stressed the need for fiscal responsibility and sustainability, warning that borrowing to fund consumption could burden future generations. She called for a comprehensive national employment strategy that includes former Cepep and URP workers.

In a spirited defense of the current administration’s policies, Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services, asserted that the government has significantly outperformed its PNM predecessor in addressing the needs of Trinidad and Tobago’s citizens. Speaking during the Senate budget debate on October 27, Chaitan-Maharaj highlighted a series of initiatives aimed at improving social welfare and economic stability. She criticized the former government for its failure to open the Couva Children’s Hospital for a decade and for voting against the Children’s Life Fund, sarcastically noting that their solution was to decriminalize cannabis for personal use. Chaitan-Maharaj also condemned the PNM for canceling the baby milk grant, a program introduced by the previous UNC government to aid single mothers in distress. She emphasized the current government’s commitment to the most vulnerable, citing the establishment of the National Therapeutic and Resource Centre (NTRC) to provide free therapy for disabled individuals on a larger scale than before. The Parliamentary Secretary accused the PNM of dismantling key educational programs, including the school laptop initiative and reducing allocations for school transport and scholarships. She revealed that the school textbook grant had plummeted from $133 million under the UNC to $33 million under the PNM, and the national school feeding program had seen a drastic reduction in daily meals provided. Chaitan-Maharaj also pointed out the decline in foreign exchange reserves from US$11.4 billion in 2015 to US$5.4 billion under the PNM. She defended the government’s budget projections based on oil and gas prices, dismissing claims of a hidden deficit as baseless fear-mongering. The bank levy and electricity surcharge were justified as measures targeting high earners to fund social programs without burdening the vulnerable. Chaitan-Maharaj announced the replacement of Cepep, URP, and reforestation programs with recruitment drives aimed at providing real job opportunities. She also highlighted the allocation of $5 million to establish a Women’s Health Fund to address period poverty, accompanied by educational programs on menstrual health. The Parliamentary Secretary concluded by outlining an ambitious pipeline of projects for fiscal 2026, all aligned with the National Child Policy, aimed at creating a safer and more empowered future for every child in Trinidad and Tobago.

In a decisive move to combat the escalating drug crisis, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago (TT), has aligned herself with the United States in its efforts to curb drug exportation from Venezuela. This strategic decision, though met with criticism from her Caribbean counterparts, underscores her commitment to prioritizing national security over political alliances.

Persad-Bissessar’s stance comes amidst allegations that Venezuela has been using TT as a transit point for drug trafficking, exacerbating the country’s already high crime rates. After nearly a decade of deliberation, the Prime Minister has chosen to break away from the status quo, distancing herself from Venezuelan leaders Nicolás Maduro and Delcy Rodríguez. Instead, she has engaged with US officials, including Senator Marco Rubio, to formulate a collaborative plan to address the issue.

Her decision has not been without controversy. Fellow members of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) have expressed disapproval, isolating her and criticizing her departure from the collective regional stance. This has led to TT losing Caricom’s support for a seat on the United Nations Security Council. However, Persad-Bissessar remains undeterred, viewing the fight against drug trafficking, gun violence, and human smuggling as paramount. Her unwavering dedication has become the cornerstone of her leadership, even at the cost of her political career.

In essence, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has chosen to put her country’s safety and security above all else, demonstrating a rare willingness to sacrifice personal and political gains for the greater good.

In a recent televised statement on Crimewatch, Trinidad and Tobago (TT) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar expressed her dissatisfaction with Caricom, accusing the regional body of favoring Venezuela over TT. Her remarks came shortly after Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced that Venezuela would cease energy collaboration with TT, citing alleged aggression due to the presence of a US anti-narcotics fleet in the region. Persad-Bissessar dismissed these claims, asserting that TT does not rely on Venezuelan gas and has diversified its economy through energy and non-energy projects. She also emphasized that TT would not be used as a US military base, despite ongoing joint training exercises with the US aimed at enhancing internal security. The Prime Minister further criticized Caricom for its perceived unreliability, particularly in addressing TT’s challenges with drug trafficking, gang violence, and human trafficking. She also announced plans to extend the state of emergency (SoE) initially declared in July, citing a significant reduction in the murder rate. Meanwhile, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley condemned US military actions in the region, labeling them as extra-judicial killings and calling for adherence to international law. Persad-Bissessar concluded by offering support to TT students in Jamaica affected by Hurricane Melissa and mobilizing aid for the island nation.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago has announced plans to extend the country’s state of emergency (SoE), citing recommendations from the Commissioner of Police. The announcement was made during an interview on the prime-time TV programme *Crime Watch* hosted by Ian Alleyne on October 27. The current SoE, initially declared on July 18 and extended on July 28, was set to expire on October 28. A parliamentary motion to extend it further has been scheduled for debate on October 31, requiring a three-fifths majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The SoE grants law enforcement expanded powers, including the authority to arrest suspects without bail and conduct searches of public and private premises. Additionally, several prisoners have been relocated from the Maximum Security Prison to military bases. The extension comes amid heightened regional tensions, particularly between the United States and Venezuela, though the Prime Minister denied any direct connection to these geopolitical issues. Separately, an unverified document circulating on social media suggests a new policy to detain illegal immigrants at the Immigration Detention Centre in Aripo as part of a potential mass-deportation exercise. The authenticity of the document remains unconfirmed. The Prime Minister also reiterated that Trinidad and Tobago would not serve as a base for U.S. military operations in the region, despite the recent docking of the USS Gravely for training and humanitarian purposes.