By Raffique Shah
July 11, 2026

Exactly how many people are trying to “kill” our Prime Minister? I have to ask the question because last year, it was alleged there was a plot to kill top members of Government, inclusive of the CPL-going duo, Saddam Hosein and Barry Padarath. That plot was thwarted. The last time she was in government there was a plot to kill her, her attorney general and Roodal Moonilal. Once again, that plot was thwarted. So, I’m asking, how many people are trying to kill our “meek and mild” Prime Minister?

In the history of this country, I do not believe any public figure or person in authority has ever had so many people try to assassinate them that many times. So, my question now is a simple: why? And, is it in fact a plot to assassinate, or maybe something deeper and less sinister, but perhaps more liberating?

Even in 1970, when the country faced social unrest, and the soldiers and I took control of Teteron Barracks, we never had any intentions of killing anyone, much less Dr Williams: contrary to what people believe. As I have said many times before, we could die for the revolution, but we could not kill for it.

So, how many people are we going to arrest under the premise that they are out to “get” her? And, when it is all over and they are vindicated, whose purse will foot their bills for suing the State?

No other prime minister or president or top government official of our twin-island State has ever accused, arrested or detained any person or persons for alleged ­assassination plots against them. What makes the lady so special or, one might say, dangerous?

Because, let’s face it, nobody in their right mind, as Trinis would say, would want to jeopardise their constitutional rights and freedoms by threatening anyone in power.

The country appears to be running well, we have not gone hungry a day, as is evidenced by our generous visceral fat-laden bodies and our high incidences of diabetes, heart disease, etc. Gas prices are stable, so we are profiting as we normally do; and as of last Friday night, the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund stood at US$6.6 billion, which is healthy. By all means, Madam Prime Minister, under your stewardship we doing “real good”! Well, most of us.

Because how can we forget the tens of thousands you fired within the first month of your coming to power? I still see many of them struggling to make ends meet today. You see, I live among the people who helped put you there. The same ones who are now jobless or jumping from a cleaning job here to a cooking job there, any menial work they can find just so they can put food on their tables.

Where are the voices now, when companies such as Methanex have closed up shop because NGC cannot come to a proper price arrangement that would encourage them to stay, thereby saving hundreds of jobs in the process? But I bet when the people you hire to crunch the numbers finally get around to it, you and your Government will try to fool us into believing that unemployment is still in the single digits. Please remember in this country we have lots of very bright individuals out there who will not be hoodwinked by politicians who make promises they cannot keep.

Further on your promises, I see Comrade Roget is working assiduously at making sure he gets his hands on what is left of our prized possession, Petrotrin. After all, you and many others like you believed that shutting down the plant was a great disservice to the nation. Roget even went so far as to defend you, his Prime Minister, against our last prime minister and former energy minister, Stuart Young, when he told him: Do not undermine this government. If ever there was a greater supporter of your regime, none so great as Comrade Roget.

What about the backpay for the public service workers? Where have you and your Chief Personnel Officer, Dr Daryl Dindial, reached on that issue? With an outstanding balance of TT$3.8 billion owed to more than 25,000 workers, I bet the 4% increase promised by the previous administration looks sensible now, doesn’t it? With your side saying cash and non-cash, the PSA is saying cash only and the CPO claiming it was a misinterpretation, it’s difficult to believe anyone at this point. What I do know, however, is that you do not mess with a man and his money.

That’s a lot of people disgruntled by your policies and the positions you have taken in matters involving their livelihoods, Madam PM. Little wonder you are constantly looking over your shoulder and making accusations against people who may well be innocent. After all, the last 17 held in 2011 were freed without being charged.