When the decorations come down and the spending stops, many families are left facing the same struggles they carried through the holidays. This reflection looks at the quiet reality behind the season of giving, where joy and abundance exist alongside shame, stress, and financial hardship. It calls for empathy, awareness, and compassion that lasts long after Christmas is over.
Category: Opinion
Opinion pieces by Aaron Matthew Beharry on the issues affecting Trinidad and Tobago. He writes with a clear voice, sharing his perspective on current events, government policies, and social challenges, often highlighting practical solutions and urging action. His commentary is direct, thoughtful, and grounded in everyday realities.
Big Drug Busts, Bigger Questions About Real Progress
Recent large scale drug seizures show that law enforcement in Trinidad and Tobago has the capacity to disrupt criminal activity when intelligence and coordination come together. But seizures alone are not enough. Without arrests, prosecutions, and follow through, these operations risk becoming headlines rather than lasting solutions. True success will be measured by safer communities, reduced violence, and criminal networks that are genuinely dismantled, not just temporarily disrupted.
The Silent Crisis Facing Men in Trinidad and Tobago
Across the country, more men are quietly slipping into despair while society looks the other way. Pressure, shame, and silence have pushed many to breaking point, and too often the warning signs go unnoticed. This piece looks at the hidden struggles men carry, the cultural expectations that trap them, and why open support and real conversations are urgently needed. It is a reminder that every life matters and no one should face their darkest moments alone.
The New Anthem We Never Chose
Trinidad and Tobago wakes up each day to news of murders, robberies, and deadly crashes, creating a growing sense of fear and frustration. Crime now reaches homes, churches, and roads with alarming ease, and reckless driving has become a daily threat. While the Government has introduced new measures, real progress will require stronger policing, better community engagement, consistent enforcement, and deeper social support. Without urgent action, the country risks losing its sense of safety and the hope of its young people.
New Marriage Officer Approvals Show Progress but Highlight Need for Full Modernization
The approval of thirty new Marriage Officers is a positive sign after years of delays, lost files, and uncertainty for applicants. It brings relief to religious and cultural groups that depend on these officers for important family and community functions. Still, the move also exposes how outdated the current system is. A digital application process with clear timelines and proper tracking is urgently needed. Until the backlog is cleared and a modern system is in place, many applicants will continue to face long waits and inconsistent results.
Why Higher Fines Are a Necessary Step Toward Safer Roads in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago’s proposed traffic fines may seem strict, but they are a crucial step toward safer roads. Higher penalties for drunk driving, careless driving, and overloading are not about punishment; they are about protecting lives and encouraging responsibility. With proper enforcement and public awareness, these changes can shift our driving culture for the better.
Trinidad and Tobago Needs PrEP Now Not Later
World AIDS Day is a reminder that HIV is still a real threat, and Trinidad and Tobago needs to act faster. PrEP is one of the most effective prevention tools available, yet it remains out of reach for most people here. It can protect anyone at risk, not just specific groups. With proper access, education and confidentiality, PrEP could significantly cut new infections and strengthen our national response. The country cannot wait for another review or delay. It is time to make PrEP widely available and part of our public health system.
When Even Churches Become Targets What Does That Say About Us
The recent robbery at St Benedict’s in La Romaine shows how far we have slipped as a society. Churches were once places of comfort and protection, yet criminals now see them as easy targets. When a guard can be tied up and a priest’s quarters ransacked, it signals a real breakdown in respect for anything sacred. We need stronger security, quicker police response and more community involvement if we want to protect the spaces that hold our neighbourhoods together.
Urea Shortage Threatens the Survival of Trinidad and Tobago’s Rice Sector
Trinidad and Tobago’s remaining rice farmers face a crisis as a sudden urea shortage drives prices to black-market levels, threatening the collapse of a once-thriving industry. Despite being a major global nitrogen fertilizer exporter, local producers cannot access essential inputs, forcing them to use less effective alternatives and risking financial ruin. While the government has acted swiftly to protect export revenue, domestic farmers remain unsupported. Immediate subsidies, price controls, and long-term adoption of efficient farming technologies are critical to saving the sector, boosting food security, and strengthening the rural economy.
Stronger Home Defence Laws Are Welcome but Still Need Work
The new Home Invasion Bill gives homeowners clearer legal protection during violent break ins, and many citizens see it as long overdue. It recognises the reality of fear and split-second decision making when someone forces their way into a home. Still, the law leaves questions about terms like reasonable force and honest belief, and it does not fully address deceptive entry or threats just outside the doorway. The Bill is a good start, but it needs ongoing review so it protects the innocent without creating room for misuse.
Trinidad and Tobago Deserves Clarity on Claims About Our Seas
Nicolás Maduro’s recent claim that Trinidad and Tobago has “mortgaged” its maritime space to the United States has raised questions that the public can’t ignore. Whether his statement is political posturing or based on real activity, citizens deserve clear answers. If there is deeper cooperation with the United States, then the country should be seeing real benefits in crime reduction, border security and economic support. The government should address these concerns directly so people understand how our resources and national interests are being protected.
Bring Back Safer Speeds Before More Lives Are Lost
Trinidad and Tobago raised the highway limit from eighty to one hundred kilometres per hour with good intentions, but the results have been troubling. Fatal crashes are happening far too often, and many of them are tied to excessive speed and heavy trucks using lanes they should avoid. The higher limit has encouraged faster driving, harsher collisions and less control on roads that were never designed for this pace. If we want fewer families grieving, the country needs to rethink the limit and strengthen enforcement now.
A Painful Allegation That Demands Full Accountability
The lawsuit against the Catholic Church over alleged abuse at St Dominic’s Children’s Home forces the country to confront a difficult truth: children who should have been protected may have suffered at the hands of those entrusted with their care. If the claims are proven, it represents a deep moral failure by individuals and the institution itself. Survivors deserve justice, transparency, and real reform, and both church and state must act decisively to ensure no child is ever left unprotected again.
Crime Is Shaking the Country and People Need Real Leadership
Violence in Trinidad and Tobago has reached a level where many people no longer feel safe at home or in their own neighbourhoods. While citizens look for stronger plans to deal with crime, the national conversation has been focused on noise control and fireworks. People want to hear how the government intends to confront robberies, shootings and the growing risks in both physical and digital spaces. Safety has to come first, and the public is waiting for clear direction and real solutions.
A Promising Blueprint That Still Needs Clear Deliverables
The launch of the “Trinidad and Tobago Revitalisation Blueprint” signaled big ambition from the Prime Minister and her team. The plan outlines bold goals for infrastructure, tourism and economic renewal, and it marks a welcome step toward long overdue national development. Still, the presentation left key questions open. Citizens did not hear enough about timelines, job creation targets or the systems that will guarantee transparency and accountability. The vision is strong, but the country now needs clear deliverables, public oversight and firm commitments to ensure the blueprint becomes real progress rather than another political promise.
A Necessary Tax Increase That Could Strengthen Public Safety
The Finance Minister’s decision to raise excise duties on alcohol and tobacco has the potential to improve public health, reduce dangerous behaviour and generate meaningful revenue for national development. Higher prices often lead to more responsible consumption, fewer drunk driving incidents and less alcohol-related violence. The move could also deliver about one billion dollars in new funds for services that directly support communities. Still, its success depends on strong enforcement, protection for small businesses and clear public education so the benefits are felt across the country.
Couva Tragedy Highlights Urgent Need for Truck Safety Enforcement
The recent fatal accident in Couva, where a trailer container broke loose, underscores the dangers of inadequate enforcement of existing truck safety regulations. While laws exist to govern inspections and roadworthiness, gaps in oversight put every road user at risk. Stronger enforcement, stricter insurance accountability, and regular roadside checks are essential to prevent such avoidable tragedies. The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation must act decisively to ensure that trucks on our roads are safe, protecting both lives and property.
New Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs Signals Reform and Efficiency
The creation of the Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs, which brings together state land, mapping, surveying, and leasing functions, promises a more efficient and transparent system for Trinidad and Tobago. Under Minister Saddam Hosein, long-standing delays in land distribution, such as the issuance of Caroni leases, are being addressed, benefiting both citizens and legal professionals. With coordinated departments, better recordkeeping, and potential digital modernization, the reform aims to streamline approvals, reduce backlogs, and restore public confidence in land administration.
Asset Tax on Banks Raises Questions About Impact on Everyday Citizens
The 2025 National Budget proposes an asset tax on banks and insurance companies, aimed at making large financial institutions contribute more to the economy. While it promises steady government revenue and a sense of fairness, there are concerns about how the cost could be passed to customers through higher fees, interest rates, and insurance premiums. Small businesses and ordinary citizens could face added financial pressure, and maintaining investor confidence will be crucial. Transparency, consultation, and careful design will determine whether the policy strengthens the economy or places unnecessary strain on those who rely on the banking system.
