Trinidad and Tobago Roundup: Stance on US-Venezuela dispute, budget deficit, labor dispute

PM: No deal for military attack, bases only offered if Venezuela strikes Guyana

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has assured that Trinidad and Tobago has no agreement with the United States or any nation for a military attack on Venezuela. Speaking after talks with Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, Persad-Bissessar said no local facilities such as Teteron Barracks or Staubles Bay have been pledged for foreign use. She stressed that bases would only be offered if Venezuela attacks Guyana, citing Caricom solidarity.

Ex-finance chief warns of record $15B budget deficit

Colm Imbert, PNM deputy leader and former finance minister, warned that the upcoming 2025-2026 budget could carry a record $15 billion deficit, calling it “disastrous” for the economy. Speaking after a party meeting in San Fernando, Imbert said such a shortfall would push debt levels dangerously high, far beyond the sustainable 2-3% of GDP range. He noted the figure reportedly excludes billions in promised wage hikes and back pay, which could raise the gap further. “Hopefully it’s not true,” he said. 

Foreign minister says T&T is neutral in US-Venezuela standoff

Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers has assured citizens that Trinidad and Tobago will remain neutral amid growing tensions between the United States and Venezuela, saying there is “absolutely no need for any concern, panic, worry, trepidation.” Speaking on CNC3, Sobers said TT has taken no side in the dispute and has not discussed allowing US forces to use local bases. While acknowledging the presence of a US naval fleet in nearby waters, he said its deployment has not created insecurity and defended TT’s non-interventionist approach.

Workers’ union takes gov’t to court over URP Firings

The Banking, Insurance and General Workers’ Union (BIGWU) has filed 160 trade disputes over the dismissal of 400 Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) workers and plans to take the government to court, accusing Minister Khadijah Ameen and her ministry of breaching the Retrenchment and Severance Benefit Act. Union president Don Devenish said BIGWU will seek damages for defamation and the manner of dismissal, not reinstatement. He argued that the government failed to follow proper retrenchment procedures under Section 25 of the Act. The September 10 terminations affected workers across 12 regional offices and were described by Ameen as part of a restructuring effort to eliminate corruption and “ghost gangs.” BIGWU says severance pay must still be provided under the law.

Fishermen group calls for referendum on T&T’s US Alignment amid Venezuela tensions

Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) is urging a national referendum to decide Trinidad and Tobago’s geopolitical alignment following a deadly U.S. military strike that killed 11 alleged Venezuelan gang members in Caribbean waters. Corporate Secretary Gary Aboud warned citizens, especially fishermen, to stay off the seas, saying tensions with Venezuela have made the situation “very dangerous.” Aboud criticised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s support of the U.S. strike, calling it “reckless irresponsibility” that could put lives at risk.