“Hatred for the UNC, racism and prejudice” are the motives behind the threat by at least one union to protest outside the homes of Government ministers. At least that is the suggestion being made by Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath. The United National Congress won almost 60% of the votes cast in the 2025 General Election and over 63% of the electoral seats. That victory came with the votes from members of many unions. It is doubtful that such love would have turned to hate in just over a year. Perhaps the minority 40% are the ones who are “working in the shadows with the PNM to fuel separation and segregation,” according to the minister.
The homes of ministers of the previous People’s National Movement government, Colm Imbert, Rohan Sinanan, Terrence Deyalsingh, Marvin Gonzales, and the Prime Minister’s official residence when Dr Keith Rowley held that office, would have been picketed. Was that “hatred for the PNM” then?
Opposition MP Kareem Marcelle followed the minister’s hate detection with his own when he said that the Government was “wicked, evil, and racist” and that “they hate we.”
During the parliamentary debate to extend the State of Emergency, current Attorney General John Jeremie, who was also a PNM attorney general, trained his guns on a certain “1%” “gang.” The “1%” term is understood as a slur targeting persons of Syrian and Lebanese origin. This triggered distress within this community.
Activist and businessman Gary Aboud believes that “they are picking on Syria-Lebanese and it is racism,” and businessman Peter George indicated “a profound sense of dismay.”
The Rahael Holdings Limited recently turned the sod on the $220 million Hilton Garden Inn & Convention Centre project with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. They are Trinbagonian investors of Syrian/Lebanese origins under a UNC Government. This community played important roles in previous UNC governments. Perhaps AG Jeremie would not have known this, being well ensconced in the PNM during those periods.
PM Persad-Bissessar later manoeuvred the narrative away from danger by saying that “the one per cent community consists of persons of many ethnic groups. It does not consist of a singular ethnic group.” She further diverted the fire to “current and former high-ranking officials of local banks,” blaming them for our forex bleed. Damage control well engaged.
The SoE has been extended for another three months, with the current Government having implemented such for 75% of their term already. I conducted another rudimentary poll on social media and found that the majority of respondents supported its extension, saying things like “I’m legal.” Several also said, “It doesn’t bother me.” I wondered at that response.
Crimes are still happening. Are criminals also oblivious to the SoE? After the “Tall Boots” gang, I thought there would be an upsurge in gang busts and weekly photos of guns, drugs and millions of dollars being confiscated. Has the SoE outlived its usefulness, or, as some commenters indicated, “it would have been worse” without it? So that’s it for Homeland Security, I guess. The Government could also add “No-Protest Zones” around the homes of public officials and save the “hate” rhetoric. Perhaps the Government could bring back the ZOSO bill with amendments. Perhaps unpredictability and versatility on the part of the T&T Police Service will bring greater results.
Ahead of today’s Mid-year Budget Review, the Finance Bill 2026 was debated in both Houses last week and critiqued most closely in the Standing Finance Committee. The requested budget supplementation of $2.93 billion will push the 2026 national budget to a total of about $ 62 billion. $2.83 billion of that will be allocated directly to recurrent expenditure to cover major salary increases and outstanding wage commitments to 62,000 unionised public servants. This significant segment of the national population also has relatives who will be relieved to receive their new salaries and backpay. Perhaps as many as 200,000 citizens will be directly impacted. I am interested in the impact of this economic stimulus, especially because it accounts for almost all of the budget supplementation.
Regarding our most tenuous but critical possible external economic stimulus, Heritage Petroleum has detected no significant oil spill in the Gulf of Paria, and our local fisherfolk have endorsed this finding. This is good news for our environment and our neighbours’. Does Venezuela have other verifiable evidence, or are they “gaslighting” us before “gas dealing” with us? Regardless, it is good that we are treating their concerns. What does this mean for future negotiations and cooperation, though?
Twelve-year-old Standard Four student Mercedes Layne is another child added to the too-long list of tragic murders in our history. Her grandfather placed her in a “PH” taxi to take her home to her mother. She would never arrive. The autopsy revealed blunt force trauma to the head. A “PH” taxi driver was charged with her murder.
How can this type of transportation be regularised and made safe, especially in rural areas where reliable public transportation is unavailable? Can a predator decide to become a “PH” driver just to capture unsuspecting victims? Have we become desensitised to the loss of our nation’s innocent children? Condolence, tears and candlelight vigils don’t save lives. What can be done to keep our most vulnerable away from danger?
