Trinidad Parties Make Final Pitch on Economy, Crime Before Vote

Article content

(Bloomberg) — Trinidad and Tobago’s ruling and opposition parties pledged to strengthen the energy-dependent economy and tackle crime in their final election rallies before voters go to the polls on Monday.

Article content

Article content

Prime Minister Stuart Young said he will ensure a gas deal with neighboring Venezuela if his ruling People’s National Movement returns to power. His pledge comes after the US revoked the license allowing Trinidad and Tobago to conduct joint exploration and production in two of Venezuela’s gas fields. 

Article content

Article content

“I will fight for that gas for our future,” said Young, 50, a lawyer by profession and who is also the energy minister. “Vote the People’s National Movement back in.”

Article content

Article content

More than 1 million people on the twin-island Caribbean nation are eligible to vote in April 28 elections to fill 41 parliamentary seats. 

Article content

Young also promised to diversify the economy away from oil and gas by creating more opportunities in sectors including maritime and port development “that can earn us more foreign exchange.” The country is experiencing a severe foreign exchange shortage. 

Article content

In his rally speech, he warned voters not to fall for the opposition United National Congress’s “false promises and lies” such as larger wage increases versus the ones proposed by the government.

Article content

“Do not let the UNC bankrupt us,” he said. “They will take us to the IMF. They will devalue the dollar.” 

Article content

Article content

UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, 70, stayed clear of offering specific pay increase numbers in her rally speech, but said her government would provide a “fair wage,” retroactive payments of salary increases, and the abolition of property taxes for homeowners. 

Article content

She also vowed lower food prices through increased agricultural production and a reduced value added tax, as well as improved fuel prices and 50,000 jobs.

Article content

Both spoke about crime in a country where more than 100 people have been killed this year. Young said he will reform national security and better equip police to tackle crime and homicide, while Persad-Bissessar promised new laws and the legalization of more guns to enable citizens to confront criminals during home invasions. 

Article content

“When you vote for the UNC, we will give you ‘stand your ground laws,’ home invasion laws and legal firearms,” Persad-Bissessar said. When criminals “come into your homes, I tell you again, load up your ’matic, light them up, empty the clip and when you’re done, knock it on them,” she said, referring to automatic weapons.

Article content