Safest for 20 years and economically successful,no bloodshed like many were expecting.I must mention that since UNC took power a record amount of drugs have been seized,yesterday a massive haul was detected in a small Marina in Central TT ,detection on the march.One man was arrested.To date $172 million dollars have ben caught coming in from Venez,Murders dong.Not bad!

@granite

Fri 3 Jan 2025

 This article is more than 1 year old

Trinidad and Tobago’s streets are a bloodbath. Yet all our politicians offer are platitudes

A state of emergency has been declared amid unprecedented gun violence, but no one in our stagnating government is taking responsibility Just before the new year, Trinidad and Tobago’s government declared a state of emergency after a weekend of gun violence.Trinidad and Tobago, a country of about 1.5 million people and once the wealthiest in the Caribbean, has been plagued by decades of poor economic and social leadership, gang violence, home invasions, murders and corruption.

In a press conference teetering on the edge of absurdity, the minister of national security, Fitzgerald Hinds, and acting attorney general, Stuart Young, attempted to “elucidate” and to justify the government’s declaration of a state of emergency in response to escalating crime. Notably missing was the prime minister, Keith Rowley, whose absence was dismissed with the baffling claim that his presence would have been “inappropriate”. Equally glaring was the lack of accountability from Hinds himself, who remains in office despite presiding over the worst years of escalating crime in the islands’ history. Asked if he would resign over his record, Hinds allowed Young to dismiss the question for him.

The message to citizens was clear: while the government grapples with rampant crime, the party will go on – constitutional rights notwithstanding. This state of emergency feels less like a solution and more like an attempt to sidestep the hard questions of leadership and accountability.

In November, Rowley accepted an extremely generous pay rise for himself and his ministers, an increase that comes at a time when public servants, including overburdened port workers, are pleading for overdue adjustments to their wages amid the unrelenting surge in the cost of living.The country has been governed by the same party, People’s National Movement (PNM), for 47 of the 62 years since independence, which has shaped the political, social and economic realities of the country today and locked it in a cycle of stagnation. Political accountability appears to be an alien concept, with Rowley consistently deflecting blame rather than addressing systemic failings.But this is the kind of unfettered speech we have come to expect from this prime minister, who has been called out for misogyny and racism, equating women to golf courses that must be “groomed” and citizens of east Indian descendent as the “recalcitrant minority”.Rowley’s leadership certainly often lacks professionalism. He recently attacked a local economist, decrying her analysis of the foreign exchange dilemma as “jackassness”, while admitting to only having read the headline. The report claimed that $25bn (£20bn) had “gone missing” from the country.

link

The above was what T&T citizens had over a year ago....

@granite

Anybody who expects bloodshed in any carnival in the Caribbean, obviously does not understand carnivals. No matter what happened during any year, carnival is usually the safest time of year because of inceased police security.In the past, they used to take all the bad johns or trouble makers off the streets for the entire period. Police are more equipped and efficient these days. In 2026, with more than normal in heightened security, almost a year of SOE's, USA troops wedged within , if the crime rate did not fall, that is what the surprise would have been. About the economic success, that is one of the main expectations of carnival. Did you expect it not to succeed?

Sometimes it is so difficult to respond to all the hate "cut and paste" All I advise to those who are interested, pay attention each day to all the happenings in Trinidad and Tobago. The present administration is as chaotic as their USA counterpart. It is amazing how one-sided and misguided the cut and paste are. the cut and paste does not reflect what is happening in that place at all. No wonder, the hate pastes against Rowley continues. calypso's are the best way to understand what is taking place in a country. One just has to listen to the calypso's of 2026, and get a clear picture of the state of affairs, even as they very skillfully attempted to censor them.

And, by the way, this was not the safest carnival in Trinidad. This is political rhetoric by a politician in office. And, nothing is wrong with a relieved politician making that statement. What is wrong is when adult men and women repeat these things as facts, with no analysis. carnival is usually safe, with little skirmishes here and there. That is the norm. But, if the poster was honest, there were very horrible crimes committed during this carnival. I would avoid tarnishing the image of the country.

In terms of economic success, again, no analysis, because no mention was made of the huge numbers of free tickets that were given out to artificially flood those events and make things look nice. After the massive firing of workers, and the huge taxes on almost everything poor people consume, they were afraid that people would not be able to pay to enter events. A lot of the folks that were seen in those events could not even buy a drink. How about the many vendors who prepared as usual, and sales were so bad they had to give away the items they produced for sale. These are on the ground intricacies I am referring to her: facts, not propaganda. Off course, we can be fooled by the sold out hotels and bands, many of which were already committed before the changing economic dynamics. Some of the band leaders in the successful bands were on live interviews lamenting the fact that they had to absorb the increased costs created by the changing economic dynamics, because it was too late to respond. So, sometimes, if we must report, try and give a real analysis.

Why would some one accuse Rowley of giving himself a hefty payday before leaving, and not question the then opposition leader, now Prime Minister as to why she accepted the increase in which she was the highest beneficiary. Yes, she benefitted the most, so how come she did nothing to return it; She and her Ministers? Also, explain how Rowley violated the constitution? Explain. Political rhetoric by politicians is one thing.

@granite

See why I avoid posters on this site .....

 all the hate "cut and paste"

Look at what I posted....I am criticized for posting factual information by saying I am copy and pasting?

No rebuttal of the facts.

And, by the way, this was not the safest carnival in Trinidad.

Fails to follow up with when?

When has T&T shown any analysis of the financial success of carnival?

Economic analysts, have pointed out that, for the state, it operates more as a "social program" requiring significant taxpayer investment.

Reports by the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, the organization has faced significant financial, debt-related, and mismanagement issues in recent years: 

TUCO and NCC received taxpayers money and claimed it wasn't enough, these entities are in debt.

Inherited Debt: In August 2025, TUCO President Ainsley King acknowledged that the organization inherited over $7 million in debt, which they have been working to address.

Mismanagement Allegations: A 2020 audit highlighted that between 2013-2016, TUCO had, at times, requested funding thousands of dollars higher than the subventions provided by the National Carnival Commission (NCC), with concerns raised about the handling of taxpayer funds.

Debts to Corporations: In January 2023, it was reported that TUCO and the NCC owed the San Fernando City Corporation millions of dollars in rental fees for Skinner Park.

Executive Payout Controversy: In August 2025, calypsonians called for an audit following reports of significant payments ($750,000) to top TUCO executives.

Funding Struggles: The organization has faced ongoing challenges with funding,, including, as of February 2022, disputes with the NCC over funds for Carnival competitions. 

Why would someone accuse Rowley of giving himself a hefty payday before leaving, and not question the then opposition leader

No clue about Government legislations and the approval process. Rowley gave himself a pay raise so how can I accuse him? Cabinet approved such not Parliament. The Opposition said NO not now, they had no choice.

Reading the above post is just a word salad... sigh

Sarge