标签： Trinidad and Tobago

During a parliamentary session marked by intense questioning, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander attributed Trinidad and Tobago’s current kidnapping epidemic to the previous administration’s failure to secure national borders. While avoiding direct confirmation of Venezuelan involvement in kidnapping rings, Alexander emphasized that security forces are actively dismantling criminal gangs responsible for these activities.

The parliamentary debate was triggered by Opposition MP Marvin Gonzales demanding government action against the surge in kidnappings. Minister Alexander defended current security measures, stating: ‘We inherited this crisis due to reckless border policies and registration processes. Our multi-agency approach involving Police Service, Coast Guard, Defence Force and Immigration authorities ensures such incidents won’t recur.’

This response followed Wednesday’s successful maritime rescue operation of kidnap victim Tara Poliah, which Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro hailed as a breakthrough against cross-border criminal networks. Eleven suspects, predominantly Venezuelan nationals, were apprehended in connection with this case.

Opposition MP Colm Imbert challenged Alexander to address growing concerns about Venezuelan kidnapping rings operating within Trinidad and Tobago. The minister cautiously responded that he intends to preserve police intelligence integrity while acknowledging evident patterns from recent maritime operations.

The session expanded to include community security concerns when Opposition MP Stuart Young questioned protective measures for Belmont constituents following Thursday’s fatal shooting during the state of emergency. Alexander confirmed enhanced security deployments, increased preventive detention orders, and ongoing firearm seizures throughout Port of Spain.

The minister notably revealed that 137 Belmont residents have petitioned for implementing Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) in their area, indirectly criticizing Young’s representation. However, the Speaker blocked subsequent questions regarding canceled social programs and training initiatives in the constituency.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister Sean Sobers has launched a formal condemnation against the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), alleging procedural violations in the reappointment of Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett. During a parliamentary address on Thursday, Minister Sobers characterized the process as ‘surreptitious’ and fundamentally damaging to the regional body’s integrity.

The controversy centers on claims that Trinidad and Tobago—CARICOM’s largest financial contributor—was systematically excluded from decision-making processes. Minister Sobers revealed that the nation provides approximately $127 million annually to various CARICOM institutions, representing 22% of the organization’s total budget. This substantial investment includes $35.5 million to the CARICOM Secretariat, $25 million to the Development Fund, and significant allocations to agencies including CARPHA ($14 million) and the Caribbean Examinations Council ($10.3 million).

According to Sobers, the first indication of Dr. Barnett’s reappointment came via telephone on March 24, despite the matter never appearing on official agendas during February’s 50th Regular Meeting in St. Kitts. The minister emphasized that neither the preliminary Community Council discussions nor the final Plenary Session included this critical decision, with subsequent communiqués and decision summaries similarly omitting any reference to the reappointment.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has aligned with her minister’s position, publicly declaring non-support for Barnett’s continued leadership and signaling intentions to reduce Trinidad and Tobago’s financial commitments to CARICOM. The government maintains that any decisions made without proper participation of all member states violate Article 24 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, rendering them ‘ultra vires’ or beyond legal authority.

Despite this confrontation, Minister Sobers reaffirmed Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to CARICOM’s revitalization, particularly emphasizing the importance of the regional market where Trinidad serves as both largest importer and exporter of goods. The government has called for emergency discussions during the upcoming July meeting in St. Lucia, demanding increased transparency and adherence to established protocols for all future decisions.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament witnessed a heated exchange between Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal and Opposition MP Stuart Young, culminating in mutual apologies after devolving into personal insults during official proceedings. The confrontation emerged during questioning about procurement practices at state-owned energy companies.

MP Young initiated the inquiry by demanding transparency regarding Phoenix Park Gas Processors Ltd’s alleged acquisition of medical imaging equipment, specifically a GE MRI machine and CT scanner. He pressed for details including the supplier identity, individual item costs, and procurement methodology. Minister Moonilal categorically denied any such procurement activities by PPGPL.

The exchange intensified when Young questioned whether PPGPL and National Gas Company (NGC) chairman Gerald Ramdeen had instructed staff to cancel orders from original manufacturer GE and redirect procurement to an inexperienced vendor. Moonilal’s dismissive response prompted Young to label him a “class clown,” triggering intervention from House Speaker Jagdeo Singh who mandated an apology.

The scrutiny extended to NGC’s executive appointments, particularly the hiring of vice-president of Finance Shiva Ramnarine. Minister Moonilal detailed a rigorous September 2025 recruitment process involving five candidates, emphasizing compliance with NGC’s employment policies. Young attempted to question Ramnarine’s professional history, suggesting previous terminations from Caribbean Airlines and Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago, but the Speaker ruled these inquiries irrelevant.

Further controversy arose regarding the Cabinet-appointed committee for reopening the Guaracara refinery. Moonilal disclosed that former energy minister Kevin Ramnarine chairs the committee, confirming that no members have received compensation to date. The minister clarified that Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Ltd would administer honoraria payments pending government and board approvals.

In a dramatic political development, Trinidad and Tobago’s parliamentary opposition has formally demanded the immediate dismissal of Defense Minister Wayne Sturge from both cabinet and government positions. The call comes amid explosive allegations connecting the minister and the ruling United National Congress (UNC) administration to recently assassinated businessman Danny Guerra.

Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales presented what he characterized as compelling evidence during a People’s National Movement (PNM) press conference in Port of Spain on Wednesday. Drawing extensively from law enforcement documents and investigative media reports predating Guerra’s death, Gonzales constructed a narrative of concerning associations between government officials and alleged criminal activities.

Guerra, a real estate developer and DG Homes proprietor, met his demise on March 13 when unidentified assailants ambushed him outside his Sangre Grande business establishment. His violent death occurred precisely two months after his January 2 release from preventive detention, where he had been held for nearly six weeks under a state of emergency order.

The previously issued preventive detention order outlined serious allegations against Guerra, identifying him as the leader of an organized criminal gang with purported involvement in arms trafficking, money laundering, and illegal quarrying operations. Most alarmingly, the document asserted the gang maintained access to ‘a cache of high-powered firearms’ and intended to ‘imminently execute the assassination of a Government minister’ while escalating attacks against rival factions in public spaces.

Gonzales specifically highlighted media reports suggesting Guerra had contributed approximately $20 million to the UNC’s electoral campaign, a financial injection allegedly instrumental in securing the crucial Toco/Sangre Grande constituency during last year’s election. The opposition whip further referenced visual evidence showing Minister Sturge socializing with Guerra during campaign events.

‘Wayne Sturge as Minister of Defence has access to confidential information relating to the security of Trinidad and Tobago,’ Gonzales asserted. ‘Based on these reports, he is an example of a fruit from a poison tree that benefited significantly from what appears to be criminal wrongdoing in the election campaign.’

The opposition contends that the minister’s alleged connections represent a severe national security threat that demands immediate prime ministerial intervention. The unfolding scandal raises profound questions about political financing, national security protocols, and the integrity of governmental institutions in the Caribbean nation.

A prominent Caribbean political analyst has sharply criticized the Trinidad and Tobago government’s rationale for opposing the reappointment of CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, labeling its reasoning as fundamentally flawed and jurisdictionally misplaced.

Political scientist Peter Wickham asserted that the Trinidadian government’s justification falls entirely outside the mandate of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). His comments follow the announcement by CARICOM Chairman and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew that a majority of heads of government had endorsed Dr. Barnett’s reappointment during last month’s regional summit.

Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar publicly declared her opposition to the reappointment, stating that “CARICOM has been failing for 52 years and will continue to fail for the next 52 years,” while threatening to reduce her country’s financial contributions to the regional body.

Wickham challenged the Prime Minister’s diplomatic approach, noting that her absence from the critical meeting where the decision was made undermined her authority to subsequently object to the outcome. He further argued that her treatment of regional partners demonstrated a concerning lack of respect for established CARICOM protocols.

The analyst specifically dismissed the Prime Minister’s cited justification—related to the extradition of firearms dealer Brent Thomas from Barbados—as entirely irrelevant to CARICOM’s Secretary-General appointment process. Wickham emphasized that such national security matters fall outside CARICOM’s jurisdiction and should not influence personnel decisions within the regional organization.

Warning of potential economic repercussions, Wickham highlighted Trinidad and Tobago’s dual role as both the largest contributor to and beneficiary of CARICOM arrangements. He cautioned that deteriorating relations could prompt other Caribbean nations to reconsider preferential trade agreements with Trinidad, potentially shifting their economic partnerships toward Latin American suppliers.

International relations expert Dr. Anthony Gonzales noted significant unanswered questions regarding the circumstances under which Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar departed the regional meeting, suggesting the public has received only partial information about the diplomatic incident.