AGP Executive Report

Tobago Budget Pressure: Tobagonians are weighing the THA’s $4.12B ask to Central Government for fiscal 2026-2027, with some calling for more and others saying whatever is approved will have to do. Marriott Push in Tobago: Superior Hotels says a $500M, 200-room Marriott project at Rocky Point is on track, with designs being finalised ahead of a planned start by September. Energy Costs Debate: A new report asks why the Caribbean keeps importing energy despite big renewable potential, pointing to regional targets and financing efforts while warning of ongoing fuel-price strain. Crime and Security: Customs seized $1.4M in marijuana and a firearm hidden in a washer/dryer at the Port of Spain customs bond area, leading to an arrest and charges. Labour Day Rights Row: CAFRA TT and trade union voices condemned the arrest of activist Alyssa Phillip during Labour Day celebrations in Fyzabad, raising concerns about freedom of expression and assembly. Foreign Military Training: Defence Minister Wayne Sturge backs US Navy SEAL presence in T&T, saying it supports crime-fighting training while dismissing sovereignty concerns.

Tobago Budget Focus: Tobago House of Assembly finance secretary Petal-Ann Roberts presented a $4.12 billion fiscal 2027 budget, targeting results-based governance, infrastructure and public services, with a requested 6.6% share of the national budget and continued support for CEPEP and URP. Public Health Drug Shift: Justice Minister Devesh Maharaj launched the Dissuasion Commissions toolkit, moving low-level drug use away from incarceration toward a public health approach, with Cabinet authorising a Dissuasion Commission Committee. Security and Crime: Customs intercepted a shipment at the Port of Spain customs bonded area—seizing marijuana valued at about $1.4 million and a firearm hidden in a washer/dryer—leading to one arrest and charges. Defence Cooperation: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the US will provide more vessels and military personnel to help protect T&T’s borders, with US Navy SEALs already in-country for logistics. Sports & Culture: T&T’s Caleb Wales continued World Cup officiating; the men’s beach soccer team beat the USA 5-3 in a friendly; EMA revived the Green Leaf Awards to honour sustainability champions.

Emergency Powers Detention: Christopher Samaroo, father of police shooting victim Joshua Samaroo, was detained after controversial radio talk show remarks, with police citing Emergency Powers Regulations and his attorney saying he could remain in custody for up to 48 hours. Crime Watch: Police are investigating a South Trinidad crime spree including an armed robbery at a New Grant barbecue outlet and a violent supermarket raid in Barrackpore. Court Dates: Environmental activist Gary Aboud is set for trial on Sept. 18 over alleged breaches of COVID-19 public health rules during a 2021 Woodford Square protest. Labour Day Arrests: Activist Alyssa Phillip and her mother Camille Caresquero will reappear in Siparia Magistrates’ Court on July 20 after their Labour Day arrest in Fyzabad. Tobago Budget Push: The THA is seeking a record $4.12B from Central Government for fiscal 2027, including funding to retain CEPEP/URP-style programmes and a $105.2M community tourism strategy. Tourism Flights: Tobago is also moving toward direct flights from Toronto, Miami and possibly Ogle, Guyana, with details expected after arrangements are finalised.

Tobago Budget Focus: The Tobago House of Assembly is seeking $4.12bn for fiscal 2027, with Petal-Ann Roberts outlining $3.03bn in recurrent spending and $1.09bn for development, including major health, education, infrastructure and tourism allocations. Tourism Pressure: Ahead of the THA budget, the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association says tourism is “extremely dead,” urging hotel reopenings, a loan guarantee, and better air interconnectivity. Police Under Scrutiny: Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro defended police force after a Police Complaints Authority report flagged 60 fatal police shootings in a year, while unions and activist Alyssa Phillip say Labour Day arrests in Fyzabad need answers. Labour Day Protest Wrap: Phillip says June 19 marked the end of the “19 Bullets, 19 Protests” campaign, calling it a “call to action” for citizens to speak up. Public Safety: A man was shot dead in Pleasantville after being chased, leaving his mother, a stroke victim, grieving. STEM for Youth: Tobago’s STEM camp is set to expand hands-on coding, robotics and digital creativity for ages 3 to 17. Sports Spotlight: Trinidadian NBA Draft prospect Malique Lewis is completing workouts with multiple teams, including the Lakers, as the draft approaches.

NBA Draft Watch: Trinidad wing Malique Lewis completes a final workout with the Los Angeles Lakers, after earlier sessions with the Suns, Mavericks, Timberwolves, Celtics and Cavaliers, as he heads into the June 24-25 draft in Brooklyn. Violence in Pleasantville: A 73-year-old stroke victim, Patricia Williams, says her son Marlon Williams was chased and shot dead in the back of a house in Pleasantville while she watched from a wheelchair. Tobago Budget & Tourism: Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association head Reginald MacLean says the THA budget must tackle a “dead” tourism sector, urging major hotels to reopen and a long-requested loan guarantee. Policing Under Scrutiny: Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro defends officers’ use of force after a report flagged 60 fatal police shootings in a year, while unions seek legal advice over Labour Day arrests in Fyzabad. Gunman’s Trail in Arima: Police investigate the murder of 45-year-old Sterling Francois, found dead inside his Arima home with a cutlass recovered at the scene. Sport Spotlight: Zahra Padia finishes fifth at the IPF World Powerlifting Championships, while Aaron Charles wins the men’s 200m at the National Championships.

Crime & Public Safety: A 37-year-old labourer, Michael Williams of Ixora Lane, was shot dead after being chased by a masked gunman through Pleasantville on June 20; TTPS says he fell during the pursuit and was later found in a drain in a woodland area. Labour Day Tensions: NATUC and JTUM condemned what they called excessive police action during Labour Day celebrations in Fyzabad, including the arrest and alleged rough treatment of activist Alyssa Phillips and her mother. Police Accountability: Commissioner Allister Guevarro says 290 police officers are on suspension as TTPS continues misconduct probes, including a case involving tampering with police exhibits. Power & Infrastructure: Vandals cut high-voltage cables in Princes Town, leaving about 450 customers without electricity for hours before T&TEC restored power. Community & Culture: Brasso Seco’s Village Bazaar on July 4 is set to draw visitors, with renewed calls for urgent road repairs. Youth & Missing Persons: HSRT leader Vallence Rambharat reports fewer missing teenage girls this year but warns numbers may rise after CSEC exams end June 19. Business & Investment: Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh says European firms, including Campari, are showing interest in expanding investment in tourism and other areas in T&T.

Police Discipline: Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro says 290 officers are on suspension as TTPS moves to tackle misconduct, citing cases including alleged tampering with police exhibits. Accountability in Sport Funding: Sport Minister Phillip Watts presses for transparency over TTFA World Cup campaign money, while TTFA leaders defend their governance. Power Restored After Vandalism: Vandals cut T&TEC cables in Princes Town’s Fairfield area, leaving about 450 customers without electricity for hours; crews restored power in phases. Tobago Ferry Disruption: Tobagonians report a nine-hour Galleons Passage ordeal after delays and engine issues left passengers stranded and some falling ill. Labour Day & Law: TTPS defends Labour Day procession arrests in Fyzabad, saying officers acted under the Summary Offences Act; the matter is before the courts. Health Alert (Tobago): Tobago’s Division of Health flags high STI rates, especially HIV, among ages 20–29. Energy & Transparency Debate: Commentary urges stronger public access to petroleum licences/contracts, warning secrecy can cost countries value. Arts & Culture: Tributes follow the death of environmental pioneer Emeritus Prof John Agard, while local arts continue with new productions and exhibitions.

UWI & Environment: Trinidad and Tobago mourns Emeritus Professor John Agard, 71, a leading climate and environmental scientist who helped shape local environmental laws and protected areas. Police & Labour Day: The TTPS defended the arrest and charging of social activist Alyssa Phillips during the Labour Day procession in Fyzabad, saying officers acted under the Summary Offences Act after an unauthorised group tried to join the permitted march. Public Safety: The Prison Service reported the death of inmate Merchinson Thomas at the Port of Spain facility after he was taken to hospital and later died of pulmonary cardiac arrest. Energy & Crime: Vandals cut high-voltage cables in Princes Town, leaving about 450 customers without electricity for nearly 12 hours. Digital Skills: Planning Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh met an IMF mission chief, while Public Administration and AI Minister Dominic Smith secured an agreement with the ITU to explore ITU Academy and Digital Transformation training centres in T&T. Health & Hope: A sickle-cell patient from Trinidad, Zahara Jamie, is reported to be pain-free after a curative bone-marrow transplant in India. Regional Finance: The IFC says it will invest up to US$15m in a Caribbean resilience debt fund covering T&T and 12 other countries.

Police & Mental Health: Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social and Welfare Association president ASP Ishmael Pitt says the prolonged State of Emergency and heavy operational demands are taking a toll on officers after reported suicides, urging support and supervisors to show “leniency and courtesy.” Housing Procurement: The HDC has withdrawn $3.4b in housing contracts covering 3,700 units after OPR ordered a suspension over concerns about a sole-select method; former contractors’ leader Mikey Joseph says the approach never fit housing construction. Labour Day Fallout: Teachers are on work-to-rule over delayed backpay, with TTUTA rejecting a new timeline pushing payment to fiscal 2027; unions and labour groups also marked Labour Day with calls for fairness and vigilance. Politics & Media: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar renewed criticism of Guardian Media Ltd over allegations of newsroom political interference, while the paper’s “Fair and Fearless” editorial defended its independence. Tobago Power & Governance: PNM Tobago Council leader Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis says the PM must address victimisation claims tied to a T&TEC “protected list,” as she also questions parliamentary conduct. Sports & Regional Spotlight: In Doha, Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won the javelin with 88.68m, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott finished seventh; locally, the Red Force cricket team dinner urged building structures for sustained success after ending a 20-year title drought. Culture: Alliance Française marked 75 years with Fête de la Musique in Port of Spain, and Trinidad Art Gallery announced a June 27 reception featuring silk painter Amanita Mollier and jeweler Susan Kohl.

Labour Dispute: Trinidad & Tobago teachers are on work-to-rule over delayed backpay, with TTUTA saying the $900 million allocation approved for 2025 won’t reach educators until fiscal year 2027, prompting mental health days and raising fears of further disruption to classes and attendance. Local Governance: The City of Trinidad has named Cameron Bechham as interim police chief, following the resignation of Charles Gregory, and council members also voted to create a water advisory committee to tackle long-running water problems. Energy & Economy: Moody’s upgraded T&T’s outlook from negative to stable, a move the government welcomed as confidence in the economy grows. Public Safety: Police are investigating a former police officer found dead in a cell while awaiting extradition to the United States. Sports (T&T in focus): Keshorn Walcott is among the headline names at the Doha Diamond League as Neeraj Chopra returns from injury, finishing fourth in the men’s javelin.

T&TEC Fallout: The electricity commission says a “protected list” exists to shield named customers from disconnection for arrears, but it admits the list expanded significantly between 2015 and 2025, with the Prime Minister telling Parliament that Cabinet members from that period were on it—T&TEC says it will take its next move after officials claim they knew nothing. Labour Day Politics: As Trinidad and Tobago marks Labour Day, the Prime Minister defends Labour rights and backs the Vesting Bill after Petrotrin, while the Opposition Leader says workers are being left uncertain after job losses; NATUC also renews calls for fair wages and faster collective bargaining. Housing Procurement: The HDC has cancelled its controversial $3.4B DBF housing procurement programme and says it will re-tender with an expanded slate of projects. Water Woes: A separate report highlights worsening water quality concerns, with residents alleging discoloured, foul-smelling water and health impacts. Sports Spotlight: Neeraj Chopra is set for a Doha Diamond League comeback after back injury, while local cricket champions Red Force were honoured for their West Indies 4-Day title. Media Row: Guardian Media fires back over claims of political bias after the PM labelled it a “puppet organisation.”

Labour Day & labour reforms: Government marked Labour Day with renewed push for the Workers’ Agenda and labour law modernisation, while unions and employers used the day to press for action on delayed teacher backpay and stronger social dialogue. Teacher backpay dispute: TTUTA says $900m earmarked for 2025 teacher arrears has “disappeared” and warns of possible industrial action as it seeks clarification. T&TEC “protected list” row: T&TEC confirmed a list shielding certain customers from disconnection, expanding sharply between 2015 and 2025, sparking political backlash and calls for transparency. Kaia Sealy court case: Police defended detaining Kaia Sealy on arrival at Piarco; she later secured $700,000 bail as the manslaughter case prepares to rely on dozens of witnesses and forensic reports. Public safety & services: Nidco said the Galleons Passage suffered a mechanical issue that slowed the Port of Spain–Scarborough trip to over nine hours. Crime: Police are investigating a daylight shooting in D’Abadie that left a 37-year-old man dead, with CCTV and a getaway vehicle under scrutiny. Housing procurement: HDC scrapped its $3.4b DBF housing procurement programme. Environment & jobs: Rural Development Minister Khadijah Ameen promoted turning sargassum into products and fertiliser to create local wealth.

T&TEC “Protected List” Row: The utility confirms a controversial customer “protected list” exists but says it can’t explain how people and private firms were added, with no documented policy or records—fueling fresh political heat. Labour & Public Order: Teachers under TTUTA are withdrawing services beyond job descriptions and taking mental health days over delayed backpay, while the OWTU declines to weigh in on the Government’s no-protest zones. Immigration Crackdown: Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander says deported migrants who illegally re-enter could face jail time. Budget & Crime Fight: Finance Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh defends a $2.9B mid-year injection aimed at national security and growth, as independent senators warn of rising fiscal pressures. Court Update: Kaia Sealy is granted $700k bail to continue medical treatment in the US while her manslaughter and firearm case proceeds. Tobago Transport: Passengers report a nine-hour ferry ordeal to Tobago after mechanical issues slowed the Galleons Passage. Aviation Watch: Tobago’s ANR Robinson terminal nears opening, but vendors fear steep rental costs.

IP Cooperation: Canada’s CIPO and T&T’s TTIPO signed an MOU to deepen intellectual property collaboration, including information-sharing, best practices, and joint capacity-building. Energy & Trade: Shell signed contracts with Venezuela to operate the Loran natural gas field (estimated 7 tcf), a cross-border reservoir shared with T&T, while business groups say reforms need faster follow-through on FX, VAT refunds and competitiveness. Utilities & Accountability: T&TEC confirmed a “protected list” that can block disconnections for arrears, but admitted there’s no published policy, criteria, or records on how entities were added—now under legal review. Water Infrastructure Crackdown: WASA is intensifying anti-vandalism enforcement; a 42-year-old was charged with receiving stolen WASA pipes worth about TT$189,000 and granted TT$240,000 bail. Court Update: Kaia Sealy, arrested on arrival at Piarco after returning from medical treatment abroad, was granted TT$700,000 bail and faces multiple charges tied to a police-involved shooting. Power Disruption: T&TEC warned of a scheduled outage on Biljah Road and nearby areas on June 23 (9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.). Business Performance: NEL reported TT$237m net profit for the six months to March 31, 2026, and reiterated its 90% dividend payout policy.

Mid-Year Budget Review: The Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce says the 2025/26 Mid-Year Budget Review sends a strong fiscal signal, but warns the “next phase” must turn progress into measurable gains, as unions and small businesses press for more than backpay and short-term relief. Public sector pay pressure: NATUC welcomed wage and backpay commitments but argued the country needs a broader economic plan for sustainable jobs and wage growth. Parliament tensions: Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath dismissed an Opposition walkout during the budget debate, while the row also reignited criticism over treatment of parliamentary staff. T&TEC “protected list” dispute: Former T&TEC officials rejected claims that a decades-old “protected list” was created to shield PNM figures, saying it was a long-running customer service practice. Crime and justice: Kaia Sealy is set to return to Trinidad and Tobago to face charges tied to a St Augustine police-involved shooting that left her partner paralysed and later dead. Tobago development: Tobago West MP Joel Sampson welcomed an extra $94M allocation for the Tobago House of Assembly, saying it should deliver tangible benefits for teachers and students. Regional business: A T&T firm, with a local partner, is reported to have won a contract to run Guyana’s NGL plant.

Tobago Heritage: The THA’s Department of Antiquities is launching “Pillars of Our Community” to record elders’ memories before they’re lost, after the death of cultural stalwart George Stanley Beard. Tobago Budget Boost: Tobago West MP Joel Sampson welcomed an extra TT$94 million in the Mid-Year Budget Review, saying it will translate into real support for teachers and students. Water Woes: Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath says new water projects— including work tied to Freeport and desalination/transmission lines—are meant to end unreliable supply in Central and South Trinidad, with Tobago also getting attention after reliance on a single pump. Governance Support for CSOs: A deadline is looming for CSOs to grab free governance certification through the IG-NITE CSOs Micro-Credential Scholarship, offering online courses in governance, financial management and HR. Aviation Update: St Vincent and the Grenadines says the Dominican Republic-registered aircraft that vanished en route to Tobago has been found, with no loss of life reported. Sports Spotlight: TTOC President Diane Henderson praised Keshorn Walcott and Jereem Richards for their international Diamond League success as they chase LA28 qualification.