标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a sharply critical New Year’s address, Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) political leader David Abdulah delivered a sweeping condemnation of Trinidad and Tobago’s two dominant political parties, accusing both the ruling United National Congress (UNC) and opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) of fundamental governance failures.

Abdulah characterized 2025 as a historically significant year marked by consequential elections in both Trinidad and Tobago and the United States. He expressed deep concern about the international political climate, particularly referencing Donald Trump’s return to power and the subsequent Project 2025 initiative, which he described as promoting “an ultra right-wing agenda rooted in white supremacy and the aggressive rewriting of historical narratives through executive overreach.”

The MSJ leader elaborated on global implications, stating this agenda represents “imperialism on steroids” characterized by resource exploitation tactics, unilateral tariff impositions contravening WTO regulations, visa revocation threats, illegal sanctions, and the resurgence of gunboat diplomacy.

Domestically, Abdulah presented a detailed electoral analysis, noting that the PNM suffered a catastrophic collapse in public support during the April general election. The party’s vote count plummeted by over 100,000 ballots from 322,180 in 2020 to merely 220,160 in 2025. He attributed this dramatic rejection to the PNM’s alleged arrogance in governance, its adherence to neoliberal economic policies that disproportionately favored the wealthy, and specific controversial actions including the closure of Petrotrin refinery and mass worker retrenchments.

While acknowledging the UNC’s electoral victory under Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s leadership, Abdulah highlighted concerning democratic metrics. Despite securing 26 of 41 parliamentary seats (68% representation), the UNC coalition garnered only 350,734 votes representing approximately 30% of electoral support amid a record-low 54% voter turnout—the poorest participation rate since the 1971 ‘No Vote’ campaign.

The opposition leader criticized the new government for exhibiting concerning tendencies reminiscent of its predecessor, citing Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar’s characterization of Trinidad as “a lawless dump” and abrupt reversals of longstanding foreign policy positions. While acknowledging some positive developments including stakeholder consultations on scrap iron regulations, refinery restart committees, and settled wage negotiations, Abdulah noted troubling patterns of insufficient consultation with maxi-taxi associations and Carnival stakeholders, and what he termed “a new manifestation of prime ministerial power.”

Abdulah concluded that neither major party demonstrates capacity for the fundamental transformation required—a shift from top-down governance to participatory democracy and economic reconstruction that benefits all citizens rather than select elites. He called for emergence of a new mass movement capable of challenging the status quo, citing growing civic engagement around peace vigils, Palestinian solidarity, and global liberation movements as promising indicators of potential change.

A disturbing housing controversy has emerged in Trinidad following revelations that squatters attempted to occupy a government-subsidized home weeks before the legitimate owners were scheduled to receive their keys. The incident occurred at a Housing Development Corporation (HDC) townhouse in Riverside South, Corinth, near San Fernando, where a family with children had already made substantial payments toward the property.

The concerned couple, who have chosen to remain anonymous, filed an official police report on December 29 after being alerted that unauthorized individuals were inside their designated home and preparing to move in. This development has sparked a significant political confrontation regarding housing policy and property rights under the current administration.

Housing Minister David Lee initially responded to the situation on December 31, stating he would investigate the matter through HDC channels. However, the incident quickly escalated into a broader political debate when former housing minister Camille Robinson-Regis revealed that following the April 28 general election, the HDC had implemented a policy to ‘regularize squatters currently occupying HDC properties without permission.’

Robinson-Regis condemned this approach as fundamentally flawed, arguing that it represents governmental laziness and a problematic shortcut to addressing housing shortages. She highlighted the contradiction in government simultaneously condemning lawlessness while officially sanctioning illegal occupation of state properties.

The former minister connected this policy to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s recent characterization of Trinidad and Tobago as ‘a lawless dump’ during her defense of increased traffic fines. Robinson-Regis also referenced previous instances of political interference in housing matters, noting that Oropouche East MP Dr. Roodal Moonilal, now Energy Minister, had previously called for HDC to halt evictions by claiming those being removed were political targets of the PNM.

The controversy raises serious questions about ministerial oversight at HDC and whether current housing policies maintain the necessary standards of fairness, transparency, and respect for the rule of law that should govern public housing distribution.

Escalating military tensions between the United States and Venezuela in the southern Caribbean are creating significant economic uncertainty in Trinidad and Tobago, according to the latest monetary policy report from the nation’s Central Bank. The report, released December 31, 2025, identifies the “fluid geopolitical tension” as a primary contributor to domestic economic instability.

The military buildup began in August 2025 with the deployment of guided missile destroyers USS Gravely, Sampson, and Jason Dunham to the region. This presence has since expanded dramatically to include the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group, US amphibious assault vessels, the nuclear attack submarine USS Newport News, and elements of the US Marine Corps 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Notably, this marks the MEU’s first Caribbean engagement since the 1983 invasion of Grenada.

Trinidad and Tobago has facilitated this military presence by granting the US military indefinite access to Piarco International and ANR Robinson International Airports for transit flights. In November, US Marines established a military radar system at ANR Robinson International Airport.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has consistently supported the US deployment, including military strikes on alleged drug vessels that have resulted in at least 107 fatalities across 31 vessels since September 2. This week, President Trump confirmed the destruction of an alleged onshore drug facility via drone strike with CIA involvement.

The Prime Minister has condemned regional critics of the deployment, asserting that the United States represents Trinidad and Tobago’s sole protector against external threats.

Economically, the Central Bank reports that growth remains “somewhat tentative” despite increased energy production from two new natural gas fields in the second quarter of 2025. This growth is being partially offset by a non-energy sector losing momentum across multiple sub-sectors, indicating the domestic economy still requires support for sustained recovery.

International context shows the IMF projecting global output expansion of 3.2% in 2025, marginally down from 3.3% in 2024. While the US economy demonstrates durability despite labor market challenges and elevated inflation, other major economies experience softer growth with persistent inflation.

Energy markets reflect these uncertain conditions, with West Texas Intermediate crude slipping below $60 per barrel, averaging $59.57 in November and remaining below that threshold in December. This presents challenges for Trinidad and Tobago’s budget, which was pegged against crude oil at $73.25 per barrel and natural gas at $4.25 per mmbtu.

In her New Year’s Day address, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles articulated the People’s National Movement’s strategic roadmap for 2026, emphasizing organizational preparation and structural renewal as core priorities. The first female political leader in PNM’s history declared the party’s fundamental objective involves rebuilding public trust in governance while ensuring optimal management of national resources for all citizens’ benefit.

Beckles, who assumed leadership responsibilities in 2025 following the PNM’s electoral defeat, underscored her solemn duty to advocate for Trinidad and Tobago’s populace and maintain governmental accountability. The April 28 general election had resulted in a significant political shift, with the United National Congress securing 26 parliamentary seats against PNM’s 13, alongside two seats captured by the Third Party Platform.

The Opposition Leader acknowledged profound national challenges throughout the past year, citing escalating living expenses, economic volatility, struggling small enterprises, and persistent criminal activity affecting citizens’ security. These realities, she emphasized, necessitate responsible leadership, clear vision, and reinvigorated dedication to national interests.

Beckles reaffirmed her commitment to standing alongside citizens in defending their dignity and right to governance that serves rather than exploits. While recognizing the seriousness of existing challenges, she expressed confidence that disciplined leadership and national unity could overcome these obstacles.

The New Year’s message highlighted the unique global moment where cultures, borders, and beliefs converge in shared anticipation of improved circumstances. Beckles extended greetings to domestic and international citizens, along with Caribbean and global communities, urging purposeful advancement into 2026 with collective dedication to creating a safer, more equitable, and prosperous Trinidad and Tobago.