If you’re looking at the Caribbean right now, specifically the twin-island powerhouse of Trinidad and Tobago, things look a lot different than they did just a couple of years ago. Politics here is never quiet. It's loud, colorful, and—honestly—pretty complicated if you aren't following the daily "picong" and Parliament shifts.
Right now, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago is Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Wait, didn't Keith Rowley hold that job? Yeah, for a long time. But the political landscape shifted massively in 2025. This isn't just a change of face; it’s a return of a veteran leader and a total restructuring of how the country is being run.
Who is the Current Prime Minister?
Kamla Persad-Bissessar assumed office for her second non-consecutive term on May 1, 2025. If you follow regional politics, you’ve heard her name before. She first made history in 2010 as the nation’s first female Prime Minister. After a decade in the opposition wilderness, her party, the United National Congress (UNC), swept back into power with a decisive 26-seat majority in the April 2025 General Elections.
She's often called "Aunty Kamla" or "Tanty" by her supporters.
Her return was a bit of a shock to some, but to those watching the rising cost of living and crime rates under the previous administration, it felt like a pendulum swinging back. At 73, she’s leading a government that she claims is focused on "compassion" and "restoring hope." Basically, she’s trying to fix what she calls a "broken economy."
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The Man Before: Dr. Keith Rowley
You can't talk about the office without mentioning Dr. Keith Rowley. He was the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 2015 until early 2025. Rowley, a volcanologist by trade—literally a guy who knows how things blow up—led the People’s National Movement (PNM) through some of the country’s toughest years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a massive energy sector slump.
Rowley resigned from the office on March 16, 2025. It was a messy transition. He was succeeded briefly by Stuart Young before the general election saw the PNM lose power. Rowley eventually stepped down as PNM leader on May 1, 2025, effectively retiring from the frontline after decades in the game.
He often spoke about "tough decisions" and "fiscal responsibility," but toward the end, critics felt his administration had become too detached from the average person's struggle with grocery prices and safety.
What Does the Prime Minister Actually Do?
In Trinidad and Tobago, the Prime Minister isn't just a figurehead. We’re talking about a Westminster-style democracy. The President (currently Christine Kangaloo) is the Head of State, but the Prime Minister is the Head of Government.
The PM holds the real power. They:
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- Pick the Cabinet (the ministers who run everything from health to national security).
- Advise the President on when to dissolve Parliament and call elections.
- Lead the majority party in the House of Representatives.
Basically, if the gas price goes up or a new highway gets built, the PM is the one taking the credit or the heat.
Why 2026 is a Turning Point
We are currently in 2026, and the honeymoon period for the new government is over. Persad-Bissessar inherited a projected fiscal deficit of over $1.6 billion. That's a lot of zeros. Her administration has been scrambling to find new revenue sources while trying to fulfill election promises like pension increases and job creation.
One of the biggest shocks recently wasn't in Trinidad, but in Tobago. Just this January 2026, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections saw a total wipeout. The Tobago People’s Party (TPP), led by Farley Augustine, won all 15 seats. The PNM—the party that dominated the islands for decades—won zero.
This matters for the Prime Minister because it shows a changing tide. People are moving away from the "old guard" parties. While Persad-Bissessar’s UNC is in power nationally, they have to navigate a Tobago that is more independent-minded than ever before.
Major Issues Facing the Office Right Now
If you sat down with the Prime Minister today, three things would be at the top of the pile.
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1. The Crime Epidemic
It’s the elephant in the room. Murder rates hit record highs in 2024 and 2025. People are scared. The current administration has promised to treat crime as a "public health issue," but the "creeping normalcy" of violence that Dr. Rowley once warned about is still very much present.
2. The Energy Shift
Trinidad and Tobago used to be the "energy capital" of the region. But oil and gas production is declining. The PM is now looking toward Guyana and Grenada for gas-sharing deals to keep the local Atlantic LNG plant running. There's also a huge push for renewable energy, though some argue it's coming a bit too late.
3. Economic Fairness
Budget 2026 was titled "Building Economic Fairness." The government is trying to cut waste—like slashing spending on luxury vehicles and government advertising—to fund social programs. It’s a balancing act. If they cut too much, the economy stalls. If they spend too much, the debt spirals.
Real Talk: What People Get Wrong
Most people think the Prime Minister has total control over everything. They don't. The "independent" institutions like the Auditor General and the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) often butt heads with the government.
Just last year, there was a massive legal spat between the Finance Ministry and the Auditor General over a discrepancy in revenue figures. It went to court. It was messy. It showed that even with a big majority, the Prime Minister has to respect the "watchdog" agencies, or things get legally dicey very fast.
Actionable Steps for Staying Informed
If you’re trying to keep up with the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and how the country is changing, don't just rely on social media rumors.
- Watch the Post-Cabinet Briefings: This is where the real policy updates happen. Usually, a minister or the PM themselves will break down what was decided that week.
- Follow the Hansard: If you want to know what was actually said in Parliament without the spin, read the official Hansard records on the TT Parliament website.
- Monitor the EBC: With the 2026 THA results just in, keep an eye on how the boundaries or voting rules might change before the next national cycle.
- Check the Ministry of Finance Reports: If you want to see if the "Economic Fairness" talk is real, look at the quarterly fiscal reports. The numbers don't lie as much as the politicians do.
The next few months will be a massive test for Persad-Bissessar. Winning an election is the easy part. Managing a country with a shrinking energy sector and a crime crisis is where the real work happens.