Once more, the discussion has arisen as to what truly defines politics, politicians, and statesmen. One response is that while we certainly have politicians, the more serious question is: do we have statesmen? By definition, a statesman is an experienced, wise, and respected political leader distinguished by integrity and dedication to the public good. Unlike the typical politician, a statesman prioritises the long-term national interest over partisan advantage and is skilled in governance, diplomacy, and the shaping of high-level policy. Bold as it may sound, we submit that there are very few such figures in Trinidad and Tobago today, with perhaps one or two exceptions.
It has often been said that politics is not merely a contest of clashing parties and competing interests. The true purpose of politics is to challenge the status quo, serve the common good, and leave the nation better than we found it. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the focus of those currently in power. The population is constantly reminded of the shortcomings of the past ten years, while any successes of that period are conveniently ignored. The slogan, “When UNC wins, everybody wins,” now rings hollow to many, sounding disingenuous and lacking conviction.
Despite glossy publications outlining achievements and ambitious proposals for the future, the public continues to hear that “better days are coming.” Many citizens are beginning to wonder whether they are simply being asked to “dream the impossible dream.”
One pensadore, after reading the brochure distributed with the Sunday editions of the Guardian and the Express, remarked: “This is one of the best political public relations magazines I have ever seen.” The comment was perhaps intended as both compliment and criticism.
The public is also deeply concerned about Trinidad and Tobago’s current relationship with Venezuela and, by extension, with several of our CARICOM neighbours. Observers have noted the recent official visits by Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez to Grenada and Barbados. Trinidad and Tobago was conspicuously absent from those diplomatic engagements, a fact many interpret as a deliberate snub.
This country urgently needs both oil and, more importantly, natural gas. The once-heralded Dragon Field agreement now appears effectively dead. Attention has therefore shifted to the Loran-Manatee field, although the population has been told very little about ongoing negotiations under the still-existing Framework and Unitisation Treaties with Venezuela. The critical questions remain unanswered: Will Venezuela participate meaningfully in future negotiations? Will Venezuelan Ag President Delcy Rodríguez forgive Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for past remarks viewed in Caracas as hostile or defamatory? Is Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar still considered persona non grata? Has the proposed Trinidad and Tobago negotiating team even received formal acknowledgment from Venezuela? To date, there appears to be no public confirmation. Furthermore, who exactly are the members of this team tasked with determining, as one government statement put it, “what is ours”? Secrecy and silence, rather than transparency and sobriety, seem to be the order of the day.
Meanwhile, the familiar blame game has resurfaced. The PNM is blamed for rising crime, unemployment, deficiencies in the health sector, and broader economic instability. Yet many citizens are now asking what the UNC administration itself has done during its first year in office to meaningfully alleviate these problems.
There is also growing unease over the nation’s foreign policy and international standing, particularly regarding Venezuela and the future of offshore gas exploration. The public was assured that Trinidad and Tobago would soon benefit from major gas development initiatives involving BP. Yet reports now suggest that President Rodríguez may have entered into arrangements with BP concerning the very same gas reserves. If so, the obvious question becomes: who will ultimately emerge victorious in this geopolitical contest — Kamla Persad-Bissessar or Delcy Rodríguez? Will the United States intervene in support of Trinidad and Tobago’s interests, or, as some commentators suggest, “has T&T been played”? Others go even further, arguing that the country has simply “been used.”
It is indeed a puzzling situation. Some analysts contend that Trinidad and Tobago gambled with its strongest card and lost — that the supposed trump card turned out to be the ace that defeated the queen. In this high-stakes game of kings, emperors, and queens, are we merely pawns? Only the most cockeyed optimist would deny that the nation now finds itself in a difficult predicament.
As Winston Churchill once said: “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” The struggle for what is right must therefore continue, with the hope that persistence and principle will eventually prevail.
