Trinidad and Tobago: The Big Guy on a Difficult Block

• Corruption is key factor in ouster of Trinidad and Tobago’s former Prime Minister.
• Landslide victory by UNC’s Kamla Persad Bissessar, as island swears in first female Prime Minister.
• Nation must expunge the deeply ingrained habit of corruption as well as a propensity for homicide.

Located at the southern tip of the Caribbean basin, the oil and gas-rich twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (hereafter “T&T”) often referred to as the rainbow country, is known for its flamboyant mixtures of cultures and succulent culinary dishes. T&T possesses one of the highest per capita growth rates in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the Caribbean region. T&T’s Gross National Product (GNP) has seen the increase of double-digit growth rates between 2004 – 2008, with an average per capita GNP growth rate of 16.4 percent during that period. The emergence of T&T in the regional vanguard of prime economic performers also has brought with it a number of distinct challenges and problems to be placed on the Caribbean area’s agenda, and especially regarding the case of T&T residents.

But T&T also has turned in a performance hugely scarred by corruption, drugs, gang warfare and indifference to the plight of its neighbors. This is why Kamla Persad Bissesar walked away with a brilliant election victory on May 24th in which her five-party coalition defeated the ruling People’s National Movement party (PNM) by seizing twenty-nine of the forty-one seats contested in the lower house. In this race, there was no question that the corruption spread by Patrick Manning’s shabby leadership was a key factor in his defeat and resignation. In addition, there is no certainty that the new PM’s rule under the People’s Partnership will improve the status of burning social issues affecting T&T.

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This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Colin Frederick