标签： Trinidad and Tobago

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.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago has recently drawn sharp criticism for her inflammatory and undiplomatic language, raising concerns about her suitability for public office. On October 24, the United National Congress (UNC) leader launched an unsubstantiated attack on the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), accusing them of protecting the illegal profits of drug mafia financiers. Earlier that day, she referred to the leadership of the Law Association, a statutory body dedicated to legal advocacy, as “eat-a-food filth.” These remarks followed her earlier call for the U.S. military to “kill them all violently” in response to summary executions at sea by the Trump administration, suggesting traffickers should be “blown to pieces.” When questioned about the extrajudicial nature of such actions, she dismissively stated, “People are saying no due process, no law – whatever.” Collectively, these incidents paint a troubling picture of a leader prone to reckless and unfitting rhetoric. Despite her attempts to moderate her language in subsequent press interactions, her cavalier attitude toward facts persisted. For instance, she falsely claimed that Dr. Keith Rowley, the former Prime Minister who advocated for Caribbean peace, had been voted out of office, when in fact, he stepped down voluntarily. Her attempts to link the country’s murder rate to narco-trafficking also lack nuance, ignoring the complex socio-economic factors at play. While Dr. Rowley’s tenure was not without controversy, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar’s conduct appears to emulate the radical right, further alienating her from a multicultural and harmonious society. Her party’s electoral victory, achieved with just 30% of the electorate in a historically low voter turnout, does not equate to broad social consensus. This disconnect makes her posturing even more divisive, both domestically and internationally.

Independent Senator Alicia Pauline Lalite-Ettienne has urged the government to be transparent with the public about the challenging times ahead, as she sharply criticized the 2026 budget for its contradictory measures. Speaking during her first contribution to the Senate budget debate on October 27, Lalite-Ettienne likened the budget to a Christmas tree adorned with glitter, yet warned that not all that glitters is gold. She acknowledged that the budget’s optimistic language might provide hope to a population in need, but emphasized that many of its policies would ultimately burden citizens by raising the cost of living. Lalite-Ettienne highlighted specific measures, such as a $1 reduction in the price of super gasoline, which she dismissed as a distraction from broader tax increases. She pointed to new levies on banks, insurance companies, and electricity, as well as increased fees and excise duties, which she argued would reduce disposable income for citizens. The senator also criticized the government’s abrupt termination of contracts under the Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (Cepep) and the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP), calling for transitional measures to support affected workers. She stressed that while the government promised full-time employment as a replacement, immediate action was needed to prevent hardship. Lalite-Ettienne concluded by urging the government to be upfront about the economic challenges ahead, rather than masking them with superficial benefits.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has leveled serious accusations against Trinidad and Tobago, alleging collaboration with the United States and the CIA to incite military tensions in the Caribbean. In a televised address on October 28, Maduro claimed that recent joint military exercises involving a US Navy destroyer were part of a broader strategy to destabilize Venezuela. He further announced the suspension of all gas and energy-related agreements with Trinidad and Tobago, citing strained relations with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the country’s acceptance of US military presence in the region. Maduro also asserted that Venezuelan security forces had intercepted a group of CIA-funded mercenaries, uncovering plans for a high-level attack involving US naval units near Venezuelan waters. Although he provided no specific timeline for the capture, Maduro claimed to have shared ‘some clues’ with Trinidad and Tobago but refused to present evidence to the US, accusing them of collusion with the CIA. He referenced historical grievances, suggesting Trinidad and Tobago were once part of Venezuelan territory before British colonization. Drawing parallels to past US military incidents, Maduro likened the current tensions to the sinking of the USS Maine in 1898 and the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964, both of which he described as self-inflicted provocations. He accused Persad-Bissessar of supporting conflict and praised Venezuelans for protesting against what he termed ‘imperialist threats.’ Maduro also claimed Venezuela had thwarted three terrorist operations in recent months, including a plot to bomb Victory Square in Caracas, and vowed to defend the nation’s sovereignty and peace.