标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a significant political development, Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) leader Watson Duke has elaborated on his party’s decision to abstain from the upcoming 2026 Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections while endorsing the ruling Tobago People’s Party (TPP).

Duke articulated his strategic rationale through social media on December 28, framing the move as a calculated effort to permanently dismantle the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) political influence on the island. This follows his initial December 8 announcement that the PDP would not contest the January 12 election and would instead support Chief Secretary Farley Augustine’s TPP.

The PDP leader characterized this endorsement not as surrender but as a tactical maneuver to consolidate anti-PNM forces. He emphasized that a TPP victory would conclusively demonstrate that PNM has no viable future as a governing force in Tobago politics.

Duke provided historical context, noting that before PDP’s emergence in 2015, Tobago’s political landscape had been dominated by PNM for decades, with previous opposition parties like the Democratic Action Congress and National Alliance for Reconstruction being effectively erased from contention. The PDP’s stunning 14-1 victory against PNM in the December 2021 THA elections—described as the worst electoral defeat in PNM’s history from 1956 onward—broke this pattern of predictability.

Despite the PDP’s subsequent internal fracture that led to Augustine forming the TPP in August 2023, Duke maintains both parties share common roots in challenging PNM dominance. He now urges supporters to transcend past differences and personal grievances to achieve what he considers the greater objective: preventing PNM’s return to power.

Duke characterized PNM as an ‘outsider party’ that has historically prioritized national agendas over Tobago’s specific needs, treating the island ‘as an extension of national political priorities rather than a people with their own identity, needs, and future.’

Political analyst Dr. Bishnu Ragoonath has expressed skepticism about other parties’ ability to win seats, while Augustine has welcomed Duke’s support while explicitly ruling out any formal coalition or partnership. Public reaction to the announcement remains mixed across social media platforms.

The upcoming election will ultimately test whether Duke’s strategic withdrawal proves decisive in reshaping Tobago’s political destiny.

In a significant development for Tobago’s political landscape, 26-year-old biomedical technology graduate Shonae John has emerged as the youngest candidate in the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections scheduled for January 12. The University of the West Indies graduate officially filed her nomination papers on December 19 as the People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate for the Roxborough/Argyle district.

John, who currently serves as a teacher at Goodwood High School, expressed profound enthusiasm about her political debut. “It’s incredibly exciting and truly an honor to receive this opportunity to represent the people of Roxborough/Argyle,” she stated outside the Glamorgan Multipurpose Facility after submitting her nomination. “Public service has been my long-standing aspiration, and reaching this milestone represents an emotional fulfillment of that dream.”

Since August, John has been actively engaging with constituents through walkabouts and personal meetings, describing these interactions as deeply enlightening. Her grassroots outreach revealed critical infrastructure deficiencies and basic necessity gaps within the electoral district. “Residents require fundamental improvements—from road repairs to structural reinforcements. Numerous areas demand immediate attention,” she noted.

Identifying herself as a “country girl” deeply rooted in the Delaford and Roxborough communities, John emphasizes her local connections and passionate commitment to service. Her campaign promises a fresh perspective and genuine dedication to addressing systemic issues, particularly youth unemployment which she identifies as the district’s most pressing challenge.

John’s policy agenda focuses on economic empowerment through business development initiatives and mentorship programs. She proposes leveraging the expertise of established tradespersons to guide young residents in developing marketable skills and establishing sustainable enterprises. “This approach will not only create self-employment opportunities but also generate jobs within the electoral district,” she explained.

The political newcomer will compete against Orlando Kerr of the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) in a bid to unseat Progressive Democratic Patriots’ representative Watson Duke, who has held the seat for eight years.

In a significant immigration policy shift, Trinidad and Tobago’s government has announced the expansion of its Migrant Registration Framework to encompass all undocumented immigrants residing within the nation’s borders. The Ministry of Homeland Security unveiled this sweeping regularization initiative on December 29, marking a departure from previous programs that primarily focused on Venezuelan nationals.

The newly structured program will enable all registered undocumented immigrants to obtain legal residency and work authorization from January 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. This nine-month window provides an opportunity for foreign nationals without legal status to regularize their immigration standing.

Registered participants will receive official identification cards containing their complete name, date of birth, photographic identification, and card expiration date. The program extends eligibility to children of permit holders, ensuring family unity remains intact throughout the regularization process.

The ministry emphasized that this humanitarian gesture comes with strict enforcement provisions. Individuals with criminal records or those identified as high-security risks will be excluded from the program and face immediate deportation proceedings. This balanced approach aims to integrate willing participants while maintaining national security priorities.

This policy development represents the most comprehensive immigration regularization effort undertaken by Trinidad and Tobago, potentially affecting thousands of migrants currently residing in the twin-island nation without legal documentation.

A recent court case in Trinidad and Tobago has ignited intense debate about free speech, government power, and international hypocrisy. A 32-year-old mother of two received a three-year bond for social media posts allegedly inciting violence against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, raising concerns about the application of emergency powers regulations in digital expression cases.

While acknowledging the need to prevent reckless speech that could endanger public order, the case highlights troubling inconsistencies in how incitement is defined and prosecuted. The author contrasts the severe treatment of a local citizen expressing views through digital platforms with the United States government’s aggressive actions in the region.

The commentary points to specific US military actions—destroying vessels without publicly presented evidence, seizing oil tankers internationally, and suggesting Venezuelan territory might be negotiable—as examples of actual violence that face no legal consequences. These actions, backed by military might and economic pressure, represent tangible threats to regional stability that go unchallenged while individual citizens face severe penalties for digital expression.

The case exposes what the author describes as a fundamental double standard: incitement is only treated as criminal when it comes from powerless individuals, while identical behavior from nations with military capabilities is accepted as standard foreign policy. This disparity raises critical questions about whose security truly receives protection under emergency regulations and whether principles of justice are applied equally across different levels of power and influence.

In a sharp political confrontation, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles and Patriotic Front political leader Mickela Panday have launched scathing critiques against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s governance approach and economic policies. The opposition figures issued separate statements on December 29, condemning the Prime Minister’s characterization of Trinidad and Tobago as “a lawless dump” during her defense of heightened penalties for traffic violations.

Beckles, who also serves as PNM political leader, accused Persad-Bissessar of demonstrating “love for office rather than service to country” and labeled her remarks as “distasteful and unbecoming of a prime minister.” She suggested the description might actually reflect the “amalgamation of characters” within the current government rather than the nation itself.

The opposition leader criticized the government’s approach to crime prevention, asserting that instead of addressing root causes through institutional reform and enforcement enhancement, the administration is opting for punitive measures that burden citizens with increased fines and fees. Beckles emphasized that “hard-working Trinbagonians are not criminals” and condemned what she described as governance through “fear, threats, insults, and bullying.”

Adding to the political tension, Beckles referenced Persad-Bissessar’s controversial stance on CARICOM, suggesting the Prime Minister’s position could cost the nation billions in revenue. The opposition leader also highlighted the dismissal of approximately 50,000 workers from CEPEP, URP, and other programs since the UNC assumed power in April.

Panday echoed these concerns, calling on the Prime Minister to directly address the nation and explain “how years of failed governance have suddenly become the fault of citizens.” She asserted that citizens constitute “the backbone of this country” rather than being the problem, and criticized the government’s approach to implementing new taxes and fees without proper public debate or justification.

The Patriotic Front leader particularly condemned the timing of policy announcements, noting that increases in fines, fees, and tolls were quietly published on Christmas Day and scheduled to take effect at the start of the new year when households are already financially strained. Panday accused the government of employing “governance by ambush” tactics and drawing parallels between current administration policies and those of previous PNM governments.

Both opposition figures warned that the cumulative effect of increased alcohol prices, higher customs taxes, elevated birth and death registration fees, punitive traffic fines, and raised NIS contributions would adversely affect living standards, weaken the economy, and fundamentally alter the character of Trinidad and Tobago.