标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a recent appearance on the Crime Watch television show hosted by Ian Alleyne on October 27, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar expressed her dissatisfaction with Caricom, labeling it as an unreliable partner. She accused the regional organization of siding with Venezuela over its own member state, Trinidad and Tobago. Her remarks came shortly after Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced that Venezuela would not collaborate with Trinidad and Tobago on any energy projects. Rodriguez had previously criticized Trinidad and Tobago for what she described as an act of aggression—the docking of the US destroyer USS Gravely at the Port of Spain. The vessel is part of a US anti-narcotics fleet currently stationed in the Southern Caribbean, which some analysts speculate could be aimed at influencing regime change in Venezuela. Persad-Bissessar countered by asserting that Trinidad and Tobago does not depend on Venezuelan gas, highlighting alternative projects in both energy and non-energy sectors. Additionally, she announced that the House of Representatives would convene on October 31 to vote on extending the current state of emergency (SoE), initially declared on July 18 and extended on July 28 for three months. The SoE was prompted by allegations of criminal gangs plotting to overthrow the government. Meanwhile, former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Amery Browne criticized Persad-Bissessar, accusing her of isolating Trinidad and Tobago from Caricom and rejecting the concept of a zone of peace. Browne emphasized the importance of unity within Caricom, stating, ‘The truth about TT and Caricom is that we are always stronger together.’

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has strongly criticized recent US military airstrikes in the southern Caribbean, labeling them as a threat to regional peace. Speaking at the Barbados Labour Party’s annual conference on October 25, Mottley emphasized that disputes should be resolved through the United Nations rather than unilateral military actions. Her remarks were later shared by former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley on his Facebook page on October 26. Mottley argued that extra-judicial killings, even of suspected criminals, violate the rule of law and undermine regional stability. She urged the US to share intelligence with Caribbean nations if there is an immediate threat, stressing that dialogue and negotiation are essential to prevent conflicts. Mottley’s comments came shortly after an Al Jazeera report where Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Minister Wayne Sturge defended the US actions, stating that the US has the prerogative to interpret and act against perceived terrorist threats in international waters. Mottley countered that almost all wars in history have been resolved through dialogue, advocating for preemptive discussions to avoid violence.

The government of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) has sparked widespread debate and criticism for its aggressive policies centered around state-sanctioned killing. Since assuming office six months ago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has prioritized executions, advocating for the resumption of the death penalty for prisoners on Death Row. This stance has been further reinforced by Defence Minister Wayne Sturge’s promotion of ‘shoot first, kill first’ legislation, framed as a stand-your-ground policy. Most recently, the PM has aligned TT with the United States’ controversial strategy of targeting small boats in the Caribbean Sea, a move that has been described by international observers as a ‘kill them all violently’ approach to foreign policy. Critics argue that these measures lack empirical evidence to support their efficacy. The global trend has shifted away from the death penalty, with studies showing it does not deter crime. Similarly, stand-your-ground laws in the U.S. have led to increased violence rather than reduced crime. The U.S. government’s tactic of extrajudicial killings at sea to combat drug trafficking has also been widely criticized as ineffective and counterproductive. Mexico’s ongoing cartel violence, with over 30,000 homicides annually, serves as a stark reminder that murder does not equate to peace. The TT government’s reliance on such medieval solutions raises questions about its legitimacy and effectiveness. As the U.S. reportedly destroys nine small boats, killing 37 people, including two TT citizens, the Prime Minister has yet to define what constitutes success in this brutal anti-drug policy. Attorney General John Jeremie’s lamentation of TT’s high murder rate and near ‘state of anarchy’ further highlights the irony of a government attempting to curb violence through more violence. This approach not only undermines the social contract but also risks plunging society into deeper chaos, as even political philosopher Thomas Hobbes acknowledged that a government’s legitimacy hinges on its ability to protect, not threaten, its citizens.

The Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) has publicly distanced itself from the Joint Trade Union Movement’s (JTUM) endorsement of the 2026 national budget, asserting that it cannot support a fiscal plan that prioritizes financial stability over the immediate needs of workers. In a statement released on October 24, the CWU emphasized its independence and dissenting views on the budget, despite remaining a member of JTUM. The union criticized the government’s focus on balance sheets, arguing that the budget fails to address the rising costs of living, stagnant wages, and the struggles of working-class citizens. The CWU also highlighted the lack of meaningful provisions to restore workers’ purchasing power, which has been eroded by inflation and currency devaluation. Additionally, the union condemned the government’s neglect of the productive sector, pointing to insufficient allocations for manufacturing, agriculture, and industrial diversification. CWU Secretary General Joanne Ogeer clarified that the union’s stance was issued to correct misconceptions after parliamentary discussions referenced its earlier budget analysis. Ogeer reiterated the CWU’s commitment to holding any government accountable, regardless of its affiliation with JTUM or political parties.