In a rare show of political kinship across borders, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Trinidad and Tobago’s Opposition Leader, has drawn a unique parallel between herself and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. As both leaders gear up for returns to high office—Trump, after defeating Kamala Harris with an estimated 277-224 electoral votes, and Persad-Bissessar, looking to secure the prime ministership in her country’s upcoming election—they find themselves united in a common narrative: that of a “returning leader.”
Trump’s victory on November 5 made history as he becomes the second U.S. president to reclaim the office in a non-consecutive term since Grover Cleveland. Persad-Bissessar, reflecting on the significance of his win, shared her view that leaders returning to power often carry valuable experience from past terms. “Returning leaders have not only the insight from their previous leadership but also a renewed sense of purpose for their country’s future,” she said.
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She also pointed to Trump’s political resilience as a defining factor in his victory. Describing Trump’s commitment to American values, she praised his ability to overcome “years of personal attacks, political persecution, and even assassination attempts,” adding that his dedication to his vision never faltered. Persad-Bissessar extended her congratulations to Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance, seeing their win as a mandate for conservative ideals amidst shifting American political values.
Within her United National Congress (UNC) party, this win sparked reflections on how such a shift might impact Trinidad and Tobago. David Lee, UNC’s deputy leader, emphasized how Trump’s focus on crime and the economy resonated with voters—issues that remain deeply relevant to Trinidad and Tobago. He suggested that a Trump administration may influence the nation’s dealings with Venezuela, especially regarding gas and energy projects that cross their shared borders.
One area of concern for Lee was the ongoing Dragon gas and Cocuina-Manakin projects, collaborative initiatives between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago with major economic potential. Energy Minister Stuart Young, a key player in securing licenses for these projects, may face intensified negotiations with Trump’s renewed policies toward Maduro’s administration. “We might even see Young traveling more frequently to shore up support,” Lee added, alluding to the recent OFAC license, granted by the Biden administration, allowing the government a 30-year exploration window for Dragon’s valuable gas fields.
As the landscape shifts, the UNC anticipates possible impacts on energy multinationals like BP and Shell, who have committed to investments in fields straddling the Trinidad-Venezuela maritime border. Lee speculated that they may await Trump’s official stance before committing further. The UNC’s Chairman Davendranath Tancoo summed up the party’s view simply, saying, “The American people have spoken,” while deputy leader Dr. Roodal Moonilal jested that Prime Minister Rowley may soon be congratulating the “real McCoy,” recalling Rowley’s previous labeling of St. Lucia’s Allan Chastanet as a “Tropical Trump.”
For Persad-Bissessar, Trump’s victory is a testament to the enduring appeal of returning leaders. With her eyes set on the upcoming election, she, like Trump, appears poised to make a comeback, armed with experience, renewed vision, and a fresh mandate for change.
