Good morning from Port of Spain, where the post-Carnival atmosphere lingers and the political atmosphere continues to be precisely what it has always been.

KAMLA FIRES AT CARICOM

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has called CARICOM’s leadership “dysfunctional and incompetent,” placing herself alongside Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador Ronald Sanders, who has separately suggested the Secretary General should consider resigning. This is notable. CARICOM criticism from within is not new, but simultaneous salvo from two different capitals with this level of directness marks a shift in temperature. The bloc’s response to the economic disruptions from the US-Iran war appears to be the immediate trigger. The longer frustrations are documented and well understood by anyone who has attended a CARICOM summit.

US SAYS: RECONSIDER YOUR TRIP

The United States has maintained its Level 3 travel advisory for Trinidad and Tobago, citing ongoing crime concerns and what it describes as a heightened risk of terrorism. The advisory was updated but the level was not changed. The government has noted this. The tourism industry has noted it more urgently. The country continues to operate normally, though the advisories add ongoing complications to efforts to attract American visitors.

$3.4 BILLION HOUSING DEAL DEFENDED

Minister in the Ministry of Housing Phillip Alexander has defended a $3.4 billion housing deal and suggested that former minister Camille Robinson-Regis direct her questions to him rather than the public. This is the political equivalent of saying “I’m right here, ask me directly,” which suggests the questions being asked are sufficiently pointed that someone felt the need to respond before they were asked again. The details of the arrangement remain a subject of active public interest.

CARNIVAL FLAVA VILLAGE PAYMENTS PENDING

Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin has confirmed that a final tranche of artistes engaged by the Government for Carnival Flava Village 2026 will be paid by the end of this month. This is the annual tradition of Carnival happening in February and the related payments arriving sometime later in the calendar year. The artistes have been noted. The money is coming.

PORT ROBBERY

An armed gang boarded a cargo vessel docked near the Port of Spain waterfront on Sunday night and robbed three men of cash and valuables. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. aboard the vessel C Elizabeth II, which was alongside a barge for repairs near the Hyatt Regency. The Port of Spain waterfront being the scene of a robbery will surprise approximately no one familiar with the area after dark, but that does not make it acceptable.

PNM INTERNAL ELECTIONS

Ancil Dennis, outgoing political leader of the PNM Tobago Council and former Chief Secretary, will not be contesting any position in the party’s upcoming internal election. The reasons are not stated. The absence of a reason is itself information in Tobago political discourse.

Dry. Sardonic. Accurate.