The politics of Trinidad and Tobago function within the framework of a unitary state regulated by a parliamentary democracy modelled on that of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, from which the country gained its independence in 1962. Under the 1976 republican Constitution, the British monarch was replaced as head of state by a President chosen by an electoral college composed of the members of the bicameral Parliament, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The economy of Trinidad and Tobago is the wealthiest in the Caribbean and the third-richest by GDP (PPP) per capita in the Americas. Trinidad and Tobago is recognised as a high-income economy by the World Bank. Unlike most of the English-speaking Caribbean, the country's economy is primarily industrial, with an emphasis on petroleum and petrochemicals. The country's wealth is attributed to its large reserves and exploitation of oil and natural gas.
Knowlson Gift is a politician in Trinidad and Tobago. He is a member of the People's National Movement. Gift served as Minister of Foreign Affairs between May 7 and May 17, 1995, but resigned in the face of allegations of financial improprieties at the end of his stint as High Commissioner to Jamaica, where he served between 1984 and 1987. He was re-appointed to the Senate and as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2001 when Patrick Manning was re-appointed Prime Minister. The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper paid a price in an out of court settlement, for a libelous article against Mr. Gift concerning allegations of financial improprieties. He served as foreign minister until October 2006.
The Senate is the appointed upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. The Senate currently sits at Tower D, International Waterfront Centre in Port of Spain as the traditional seat, the Red House is undergoing restoration. The Senate has 31 members all appointed by the President: 16 Government Senators appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, 6 Opposition Senators appointed on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition and 9 Independent Senators appointed in the discretion of the President from outstanding persons who represent other sectors of civil society. The presiding officer, the President of the Senate, is elected from among the Senators who are not Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries. A senator must be at least 25 years old and a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago.
Ralph Maraj is a Trinidad and Tobago politician, actor, playwright, and teacher. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs under a People's National Movement (PNM) administration, Minister of Communication and Information Technology under a United National Congress (UNC) administration, and was a founding member of National Team Unity before returning to the PNM to work as a speech writer for Prime Minister Patrick Manning. Prior to entering politics in 1991, Maraj worked as a teacher at Naparima College in San Fernando. He also attended that school. He wrote several plays, the most successful being Cynthia Sweetness. Maraj also starred in the movie Bim (1974), described by Bruce Paddington as "one of the most important films to be produced in Trinidad and Tobago".
Winston Chandarbhan Dookeran is a Trinidadian politician and economist. He previously served as Political Leader of the Congress of the People. His term ended on 3 July 2011 when internal elections were held to select a political leader. At a press conference on 28 May 2011, Dookeran indicated that he would not be seeking re-election to the post. In the 24 May 2010 election, he successfully ran for Member of Parliament for the Tunapuna constituency.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados is a key Barbadian government agency responsible for regulating, maintaining, and developing Barbados's external relations and the nature of trading with foreign countries. The Ministry is also responsible for the country's representation at the United Nations and advises other Ministries and State authorities when the latter have dealings with foreign governments or institutions. It is based on Culloden Road, in the nation's capital Bridgetown.
Trinidad and Tobago passports are issued to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago for international travel; allowing the passport bearer to travel to foreign countries in accordance to stipulated visa requirements. All Trinidad and Tobago passports are issued through the Ministry of National Security, Immigration Division and are valid for a period of ten (10) years for adults, and five (5) years for children under 16. The passport is a CARICOM passport as Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the Caribbean Community.
Russia–Trinidad and Tobago relations are the bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and Trinidad and Tobago. Diplomatic relations were established on June 6, 1974. Russia is represented in Trinidad and Tobago through a non-resident embassy in Georgetown, Guyana.
Australia–Barbados relations are foreign relations between Australia and Barbados. Neither country has a resident ambassador. The regional Australian High Commissioner to Barbados is accredited from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados is represented in Australia through its High Commission in Ottawa, (Canada). Barbados maintains an honorary consul and a tourist office in Australia. Barbados and Australia established diplomatic relations on 7 January 1974. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and comprised as former parts of the British Empire.
Diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago were established on 20 June 1974. The Chinese government established an embassy in Port of Spain in April 1975, with Trinidad and Tobago establishing their own embassy in Beijing on 26 February 2014. Prime Minister Eric Williams was the first Trinidadian head of government to visit China in 1974. In 2002, the trade balance between the two countries was US$47.15 million, with China exporting all but $4.81 million of that. The current Chinese ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago is Mr. Yang Youming.
Grenada–Trinidad and Tobago relations refers to foreign relations between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. The two countries have historical antecedents that pre-date both countries' independence. These nations formally established diplomatic relations on Grenada's national date of independence 4 February 1974.
Australia maintains a High Commission in the City of Port of Spain, and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago maintains non-resident representation in Australia. Both nations formally established diplomatic relations on 7 January 1974. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and comprised as former parts of the British Empire.
Japan and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago have had established diplomatic relations since May 1964, two years after the isles had attained their independence in 1962.
Arnold Piggott is a Trinidadian politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago from 29 September 2006 to 7 November 2007. He has also served as "Minister of Works and Transport", "High Commissioner for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to Canada" and "Agriculture Minister" during his career.
Mexico–Trinidad and Tobago relations refers to the diplomatic relations between the United Mexican States and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States and the United Nations.
Grenada–Spain relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between these two countries. Grenada has no embassy in Spain. Spain also has no embassy in Granada, but the Spanish embassy in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago is accredited to this country, in addition Spain has a consulate in St George, Granada.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines–Spain relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between these two countries. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines does not have a resident Embassy in Spain, but its embassy in United Kingdom is accredited for this country. Spain also has no resident embassy on the islands, but Spain has an honorary consulate in Kingstown, in addition to the Spanish embassy in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, is accredited to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Spain–Trinidad and Tobago relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between these two countries. Spain has an embassy in Port of Spain, which is also accredited for Spanish consulates in other small nations of the Caribbean. Trinidad and Tobago does not have embassies or consulates in Spain.
