Trinidad and Tobago continues to operate as a functioning democracy. The August 2020 general election confirmed the majority of the ruling People’s National Movement against the opposition United National Congress and allowed incumbent Prime Minister Keith Rowley to serve another term.
Until the pandemic began, Trinidad and Tobago was recovering from a deep recession since 2015, albeit at a slow pace due to depressed energy export prices. COVID-19 exacerbated weak economic performance and has led to a major contraction of the economy, while the fiscal deficit has increased to 11.8% of GDP.
The island nation’s official recognition of Nicholas Maduro as president of neighboring Venezuela contributed to strained relations with the USA. Trinidad and Tobago is struggling to effectively manage the influx of migrants from Venezuela. The government implemented strict and early pandemic measures and partially offset the deficit created by spending on measures against COVID-19 and the drop in production by withdrawals from the Heritage and Stabilization Fund.
