BRIGHTER DAYS ARE COMING
Today, I accounted to the nation for my Government’s first year in office at the UNC’s Congress where I was happy to see our supporters in their thousands. Thank you for braving the rains, I appreciate your continued love and support!
I assured citizens that the path ahead is brighter. These are not empty words. The direction of our country has begun to change, and we are taking deliberate steps to reverse decline and move forward - delivering real outcomes in employment, income, reliable services, supported communities, and systems that work.
One of the loudest cries before the general election- and even after - has been simple, urgent, and consistent: jobs. And I heard you.
Because behind every job request is a family trying to survive, a young person trying to build a future, and a citizen demanding dignity through work.
Between April 2025 and April 2026, across Ministries, my Ministers have advised me that our Government has already delivered over 15,000 jobs.
There are brighter days ahead, and more jobs to come, as we work to transform Trinidad and Tobago after 10 years of neglect and abuse under the former PNM administration.
Listen to my full speech here:
https://t.co/cNFsuQTKZg
My heart is filled with deep gratitude, love, and humility for the overwhelming outpouring of birthday wishes. I give thanks to the Almighty, to my family, and to the wonderful people of Trinidad and Tobago for your kindness and support.
With renewed purpose, I remain committed to serving you and to advancing the transformation of our nation-for every citizen today and for generations to come.
Again, heartfelt thanks to all. Here is just one of the many messages received:
Happy 74th birthday to our loving leader and Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar. You have fought for us for almost four decades. In our darkest times you never gave up and that gave us strength to continue. You battled through internal and external attacks with grace. We will always love you. You will forever be our leader, mother and guiding force. You are our rock 💛💛💛
CHINESE NEW YEAR 2026 – YEAR OF THE HORSE
As families across Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the world welcome the Lunar New Year, I extend warmest greetings to the Chinese community and to all citizens joining in this joyful celebration.
The Lunar New Year 2026 welcomes the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare zodiac alignment occurring once every sixty years. In Chinese tradition, the Horse symbolizes courage, perseverance, and progress, while the Fire element represents energy, renewal, and bold ambition. Together, they herald a year of movement, transformation, and new opportunity.
This occasion also invites reflection on a remarkable journey that forms an important chapter of our national story. Chinese history in Trinidad and Tobago began in 1806 with the arrival of the ship Fortitude, followed by subsequent waves of migrants whose resilience and enterprise laid the foundations of a vibrant and enduring community.
From humble beginnings, Chinese Trinidadians became pioneers in commerce, retail, cuisine, and entrepreneurship, enriching our cultural landscape and strengthening our economy. Their descendants have contributed with distinction in public life, business, education, and national leadership, exemplified by Sir Solomon Hochoy, our first Governor-General.
The Lunar New Year also provides an opportunity to recognise the strong and longstanding friendship between Trinidad and Tobago and the People’s Republic of China. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1974, our two nations have built a partnership grounded in mutual respect, cooperation, and shared development.
Over the decades, these ties have expanded across trade, infrastructure, education, culture, and people-to-people exchange, contributing meaningfully to national development and economic opportunity.
Today, our diplomatic and commercial relations remain strong, reflecting a relationship grounded not only in trade but in trust, dialogue, and a shared commitment to peaceful cooperation and progress. Trinidad and Tobago looks forward to deepening this partnership as we continue to pursue sustainable growth and mutual prosperity.
The spirit of the Horse reminds us to move forward with confidence, unity, and determination. As we enter this Lunar New Year, may its energy inspire renewed hope, stronger communities, and continued success for all.
May the Year of the Horse bring health, happiness, and prosperity to every home, and may our nation continue to advance together toward a bright and promising future.
Gong Xi Fa Cai (Wishing you prosperity and wealth).
Xin Nian Kuai Le (Happy New Year).
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago welcomes the issuance of U.S. General License 49 and 50, which provides a clear and structured legal framework under U.S. law for certain oil and gas activities in Venezuela and along our shared maritime border.
As a longstanding close partner of the United States, Trinidad and Tobago views this development as an important opportunity to deepen hemispheric energy cooperation, strengthen regional stability, and reinforce trusted commercial ties.
We are optimistic about the potential to enhance our role as a responsible energy hub in the Caribbean, supporting domestic industry, safeguarding jobs, and contributing to reliable supply chains that benefit the wider region.
Trinidad and Tobago will proceed in full compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and in keeping with our commitment to transparency and sound governance.
THE Ministry of Works and Infrastructure will carry out a spot-patching programme in the coming weeks to repair an estimated 5,000 potholes throughout the nation’s streets.
https://t.co/sNoXxkxdBO
Trinidad and Tobago has signed a major bilateral investment agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a significant step toward strengthening economic cooperation and attracting foreign direct investment.
https://t.co/HVMXsfmnVc
WARNING: ABSOLUTE HELL FOR CRIMINALS!
I want the gangs and those detainees released from prison to know that decent, law-abiding citizens are fed up with your criminality, and I will have no hesitation in enacting another State of Emergency (SOE) if you cannot behave yourselves. You will be returned straight to prison and, this time, your friends and family who aid your criminality will accompany you.
If criminals want to terrorise law-abiding citizens and their families, I will do everything legally possible to terrorise criminals and their families. It’s time to tip the scales in this country toward law-abiding citizens. I will use every means within the law to make criminals’ and their friends’ and families’ lives absolute hell.
Your UNC government and the security services are prepared for the end of the SOE.
I never cared about the tired, outdated, woke, race-baiting and bigoted propaganda, and I still don’t. If anyone wants to mash up the place and burn down the country, go ahead - that’s your democratic choice. However, anyone wanting to do this should understand by now that I am willing to do what it takes to keep decent, law-abiding citizens safe, so be certain that I will meet you head-on. Those who commit brutality against law-abiding citizens will be met with brutality from me - that’s a promise.
It’s a reality that the combination of American assistance to secure our borders, the competent leadership of Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro, and the incarceration of the persons detained under the SOE using PDOs all contributed to 257 fewer murders in 2025 compared to 2024.
The PNM and the local drug mafia financiers erroneously believe that the higher the number of citizens who are murdered, raped, robbed and terrorised, the higher their chances would be of getting back into government. They appear very angry that 257 citizens are alive today who would have been murdered if the 2024 homicide trend had continued.
The local drug mafia financiers’ money-laundering business fronts cannot survive without their PNM stooges manipulating economic, national security and financial policies and institutions.
The PNM government of the last ten years operated as a narco government and enabled the murder, rape and terrorising of our citizens because PNM policies were crafted in paedophile lodges, restaurant backrooms and yachts down the islands to benefit the local drug mafia financiers.
Your UNC government is committed to brutally destroying the local drug mafia and the violent gangs that they finance. The narco influence in government affairs and policy ended with the removal of the PNM on April 28, 2025.
The business of the people of Trinidad and Tobago remains a priority of my Government.
Today, I chaired the Cabinet meeting at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's.
Your UNC Government is one that listens, acts, and continues to make decisions in the best interest of all law-abiding citizens.
Congratulations to PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar for starting the payment of TT$1 million in support to the Paria survivor and affected families. What Rowley and Stuart failed to do, @PM_Kamla did, putting people first and by placing humanity and justice at the center of leadership.
Today, at the Diplomatic Centre, I officially presented an ex gratia payment of TT$1 million to Mr. Christopher Boodram, the sole survivor of the Paria diving disaster, as well as to the surviving families of Mr. Rishi Nagessar and Mr. Fyzal Kurban.
I emphasised that no amount of money can ever replace a lost loved one. However, these payments are intended to provide meaningful support and relief, and to help ease the lives of the affected families and their descendants.
For far too long, the suffering and struggles of the survivor and the bereaved families were ignored by the previous administration, which chose instead to expend public funds on legal fees rather than offering direct assistance, compassion, and care to those left behind.
I made it clear that what these men endured should never have occurred, and I reaffirmed my Government’s firm commitment to accountability, humanity, and the principle that no citizen will ever be left behind.
The ex gratia payments commenced today with the first three families and will continue progressively to the remaining families in the period ahead.
Sen. the Hon. Dominic Smith, Minister of the #MPAAI, attended the launch of the 'Buy Local, Build Trinbago' campaign on January 17th. The feature remarks were delivered by Sen. the Hon. Satyakama Maharaj, Minister of Trade, Investment & Tourism
"Drug supply is at an all time low." A statement from the Minister of Defence, Wayne Sturge who was speaking on the effectiveness of the US radar system installed in Tobago. Minister Sturge elaborated on how the radar has assisted with the surveillance of criminal elements.
I have taken note of media reports in which Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon called for laws to protect children from the predatory dangers of social media.
His concerns are valid. Our children must be safeguarded from harm. However, any blanket ban on adults would amount to an unacceptable encroachment on freedom of speech and expression.
My Government is prepared to consider legislation to regulate social media use for children under the age of 12. This is not without precedent. Across the world, governments are examining and implementing measures to protect children in an increasingly hostile digital environment.
Social media has grown into a powerful platform for communication and free speech, but it also carries real dangers - particularly for children - through exposure to harmful content, exploitation, bullying, harassment, pornography, paedophiles and manipulation.
There may also be a need to strengthen protections for private citizens who are subjected to online abuse and harassment. Those in public life, including myself, understand that scrutiny comes with the responsibility we carry, and we do not seek special protection.
Our courts have already recognised the serious harm that can arise from the spread of false and malicious information online. Yet too many decent private law abiding citizens lack the means to defend themselves against anonymous and faceless attackers.
As we examine legislative options, I urge parents and guardians to remain vigilant. Monitor the devices your children use and the content they are exposed to. Technology cannot replace a parents guidance, values, and care.
The strongest and most effective social media regulation begins at home, with responsible parenting and active engagement in your children’s lives.
Big Win for Trinidad and Tobago as @PM_Kamla Keeps Nation Outside USA Visa Pause
Trinidad and Tobago has emerged as a clear winner after avoiding the reported USA immigrant visa processing pause affecting multiple CARICOM countries, an outcome credited to @PM_Kamla .
I extend sincere congratulations, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to the Honourable Farley Chavez Augustine, Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, and to the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) on their decisive and historic victory in the Tobago House of Assembly elections, securing all fifteen (15) seats and achieving a clean sweep across the island.
I also warmly congratulate the people of Tobago on the peaceful conclusion of the electoral process and the resounding mandate they have delivered. This outcome reflects the confidence of the Tobagonian electorate in the leadership and vision presented for the future of the island.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago looks forward to continued cooperation and constructive engagement with the Tobago House of Assembly in advancing the social, economic, and institutional development of Tobago, for the benefit of all Tobagonians and our nation as a whole.
I wish Chief Secretary Augustine, the elected members of the Assembly, and the entire Tobago People’s Party every success as they assume the responsibilities entrusted to them. May God guide and be with you as you serve the people of Tobago.
Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit affirmed that no girl should miss school due to period poverty, announcing a five million dollar allocation for free menstrual products and menstrual hygiene education, with the matter before Cabinet.
Today I chaired the Cabinet meeting at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's.
My focus remains on the advancement of all law-abiding citizens, preserving a country we are proud to call home, and shaping a future where our children can live safely and thrive as productive members of society. 🇹🇹