标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The People’s National Movement (PNM), Trinidad and Tobago’s pioneering political party, is set to commemorate its 70th anniversary with a prestigious gala event at Queen’s Hall in Port of Spain on January 26. The celebration will honor several party stalwarts who have contributed to the organization’s enduring legacy since its official founding by the nation’s first prime minister, Dr. Eric Eustace Williams, on January 24, 1956.

Current PNM Political Leader Pennelope Beckles, who also serves as Opposition Leader and Arima MP, will deliver the feature address at the anniversary program. In a recent Facebook post, Beckles reflected on the party’s historical significance, noting that the PNM emerged as “TT’s first major political party with a continuous organization and a clear national program” committed to building “a stronger, fairer and more united nation.”

The event promises to blend historical reflection with cultural entertainment, described in party communications as “fantastic presentations and top local entertainment” that will punctuate the historically significant program.

Beckles, who made history herself by becoming the PNM’s fifth political leader and first woman to hold the position on June 22, 2025, acknowledged the leadership legacy she inherited. She specifically recognized the four leaders who preceded her: founding leader Dr. Eric Williams; George Chambers, who assumed leadership following Williams’ death in 1981; Patrick Manning, who led from 1987 and shaped “a defining era of leadership and national development”; and Dr. Keith Rowley, who served as political leader until April 30, 2025.

The Opposition Leader emphasized her commitment to steering the party forward with “humility, resolve, and unwavering commitment,” stating she remains “fully committed to the PNM and ready to chart a strong, united and purposeful way forward” for the movement that has significantly shaped the nation’s political landscape for seven decades.

The Trinidad and Tobago House of Representatives witnessed a tumultuous session during Private Members’ Day on January 23, with opposition and government members engaging in fierce exchanges over mass terminations and their socioeconomic consequences.

Laventille West MP Kareem Marcelle introduced a resolution highlighting the severe impact of widespread contract non-renewals across public bodies and state agencies. The motion emphasized that vulnerable communities—including single mothers, female-headed households, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities—are experiencing disproportionate effects, leading to increased food insecurity, school absenteeism, mental health challenges, and social exclusion risks.

Marcelle accused the governing United National Congress (UNC) of administering through ‘fear, evil, hate, and intimidation,’ claiming that post-election policies have targeted citizens who previously applied for positions between 2015-2025. He referenced the tragic case of Richard Cooper, who was found unresponsive after being laid off, as emblematic of the human cost of these actions.

Government members repeatedly challenged the relevance of Marcelle’s statements, with Speaker Jagdeo Singh cautioning against hyperbolic rhetoric. The opposition maintained that the terminations represent an unjust ‘war against the most vulnerable.’

Couva South MP Barry Padarath countered that the motion rested on false premises, asserting that the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) administration had left a legacy of ‘debt and destruction.’ He defended the government’s actions as necessary to eliminate ‘improper, unsustainable, unlawful practices’ including ghost rentals, leases, and Cabinet notes from the previous decade.

St Ann’s East MP Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly delivered an emotional address, comparing the current economic crisis to the 1980s era that produced ‘barrel children.’ She highlighted that over 40,000 terminations—affecting more than 20,000 vulnerable women with school-aged children—have created an education emergency with approximately 40,000 children at risk of dropping out. She criticized the government’s inadequate response compared to COVID-19 relief measures.

La Brea MP Clyde Elder accused the opposition of hypocrisy, recalling PNM-era closures of Petrotrin, GHRS, and the Tourism Development Company. He presented data showing significant declines in social programs under the previous administration, including dramatic reductions in GATE recipients (from 59,605 to 15,491), HYPE participants (771 to 264), and HELP loans (2,023 to 612).

The session concluded without resolution, adjourning to a future date as both sides remained deeply divided on addressing the nation’s growing socioeconomic challenges.

The Trinidadian government’s recent announcement of a renewed registration process for Venezuelan migrants has raised questions about its broader integration strategy beyond mere documentation. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander revealed on January 22 that migrants would be required to pay a $700 fee to register under the program, which aims to regularize undocumented individuals through the Migrant Registration Framework from January 1 to September 30, 2026.

While the initiative promises legal residency and work rights, concerns have emerged regarding its narrow focus on Venezuelan nationals and its apparent prioritization of security concerns over integration planning. The registration process will utilize sports venues across Trinidad alongside online platforms, followed by in-person interviews. Notably absent were details regarding non-Venezuelan immigrants within the country.

Minister Alexander emphasized the security dimensions of the exercise, stating it would help authorities identify individuals “involved in crime and other types of activities” and facilitate investigations. This security-focused approach appears connected to longstanding concerns about drug trafficking from South America, even prior to recent US-Venezuelan tensions.

The policy carries significant implications for migrants, with deportation threatened for those failing to register. This threat exists despite current difficulties in executing deportations due to diplomatic tensions between Trinidad and Venezuela. These strains have been exacerbated by opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s support for US narco-trafficking rhetoric and subsequent diplomatic exchanges between Caracas and Port of Spain.

Critical questions remain unanswered regarding the long-term vision for migrant integration. Concerns include educational access for migrant children, formalization of employment opportunities, and potential pathways to residency. Particularly noteworthy is the situation of skilled professionals like engineers and medical practitioners currently working in factories whose potential contributions remain underutilized.

When questioned about tax obligations for registered migrants, Minister Alexander deferred, stating the immediate focus remains on registration. The government has yet to clarify whether this initiative might evolve toward residency status consideration or address complex issues involving children born to Trinidadian nationals or binational marriages.

The absence of a comprehensive integration framework leaves uncertainty about how migrants will contribute to Trinidad’s workforce, economy, and social fabric beyond the registration period.