“[…] While the government has made much of fiscal consolidation and social spending, it has left precious little fiscal or strategic room to manoeuvre should Trinidad and Tobago find itself caught in the crossfire of a conflict between Venezuela and the United States. “Regardless of the duration or intensity of …
Read More »Dear Editor: Promises kept, lives changed: The 2026 Budget delivers
“[…] Yes, the tone of the budget is firm and unapologetic. It calls out past failures and demands accountability. Some may find that harsh, but others will see it as necessary. “[…] This budget speaks to real people. It offers relief at the gas pump, in the pharmacy, in the …
Read More »Dear Editor: Diversification, not the Dragon, is key for T&T’s economic survival—but here’s why it has eluded us
“[…] The Ministry of Finance website provides budget statements from 2002 onwards. Diversification is mentioned in each budget statement. All 23 years. Undoubtedly, diversification will feature in Budget 2026 when it is read in the coming weeks. “[…] This is not to say that there have been no changes since …
Read More »Dear Editor: How incompetence of T&TEC—and other essential services—impoverishes T&T
“[…] The frustration in Greenvale, however, runs deeper than a single Sunday blackout. The community already feels utterly abandoned. The general election, which promised so much, has long passed, leaving a vacuum where change was supposed to be. “[…] We need some level of professionalism, which starts not with a …
Read More »Dear Editor: “Evidence-based decision-making” can transform T&T from “underachievers’ paradise”
“[…] Now, Trinidad and Tobago is a shadow of its former self, undermined by a lack of innovative leadership, perceived corruption, crime, poor infrastructure and most of all, a culture that has transformed itself into rewarding mediocrity rather than excellence. “[…] Evidence-based decision-making is critical in achieving service excellence… [For …
Read More »Dear Editor: Jack Warner’s extradition “freedom” is a mirage—ex-FIFA VP still can’t travel
“[…] At first glance, this might sound like the end of Jack Warner’s ordeal. If the court sets him free, why not get on a plane and resume life abroad? “The reality is far harsher: Warner’s freedom would be limited to Trinidad and Tobago. Step outside, and he risks arrest …
Read More »Dear Editor: Congrats to Jack Warner—but what does his extradition success mean for T&T?
“[…] On 23 September, Justice Karen Reid ruled that the extradition process against him was flawed and has permanently stopped it. “This outcome raises troubling questions. Does justice in our country depend on access to resources and influence? What role will Warner now be given under our new Prime Minister? …
Read More »Dear Editor: Who is paying Roger Alexander’s legal bills? The public deserves transparency
“[…] When a sitting minister hires some of the most expensive lawyers in the country, the public has a right to ask: is this coming out of his pocket, his political party’s pocket, or ours? “If he is paying personally: fair enough… If his political party or donors are paying, that …
Read More »Dear Editor: PM had enough time to study PNM mistakes—now give us budget where everybody wins
“[…] Please do not incur excessive debt to fulfil campaign promises or popular votes. Continuous deficit financing and public debt that balloons uncontrollably will undermine investor/lender confidence, reduce cash flow and impact generational wealth. Everybody must win. “[…] Madame Prime Minister 2.0, it is clear that if T&T achieves its …
Read More »Devaluation: the good, the bad and the public debt—why T&T needs careful analysis, not noise
“[…] Basic economic theory does not always manifest in practice—in fact, it rarely does. To understand if or by how much exports/imports change requires an understanding of how responsive exports/imports are to price changes. This is called elasticity in economics. “[…] Alongside this, the constantly changing geopolitical environment must be …
Read More »Dear Editor: Indarsingh’s appointment as Industrial Court judge should spark national concern
“[…] The Industrial Court wields quasi-constitutional powers in employment matters. It issues binding decisions affecting the rights of workers, unions, and employers. The notion that such a role can be filled by a recent Opposition MP, without even a law degree, ought to provoke national concern. “Appointments to judicial office, particularly one …
Read More »Dear Editor: It’s disturbing that PM cheers on US claim of extrajudicial killing
“[…] The fact that our Prime Minister would openly applaud extrajudicial killings as a solution to drug trafficking was troubling to say the least. By cheering on violence outside the rule of law, she plants a creeping poison in the heart of our democracy. “[…] President Donald Trump said the strike …
Read More »