PM: UNC paying criminals to harass PNM

THE Prime Minister Stuart Young has accused the UNC of paying criminals to harass PNM supporters during the election campaign leading up to the general election on April 28.

Young made the accusation as police confirmed that a local “Trinibad” artiste was arrested on April 11, in connection with a viral video allegedly depicting him making threats of violence against people believed to be supporters of a certain political party.

Speaking at a PNM political rally at the Croisee in San Juan, Young said it was upsetting to him that the opposition party would resort to dirty tactics.

“I told you a story about a staunch young supporter who has stood at my side for the last ten years in Port of Spain North Saint/Ann's West, who lives on the hills in East Port of Spain.

“A UNC activist supporting the UNC candidate going up against me in my constituency, followed that young man and his wife, who is dressed in his PNM garb walking back up the hill of quarry street with his wife and to see a paid UNC supporter (verbally) attack him and his wife.

“I warned TT that there was a young man on social media in a UNC shirt talking about how he bought 1,000 tie wraps to tie up the hands and the feet of PNM people so they cannot vote on the 28. Do you all remember that story? How many of you all saw that video? Well, I could tell you tonight that the TT Police Service has arrested that UNC paid supporter for exactly what he was threatening to do.”

The police, in a statement on April 11, confirmed that a man was arrested after a video depicting him expressing plans to harass supporters of a political party.

The artiste, a 35-year-old man from Santa Flora was arrested by officers of the National Operations Unit under the supervision of ACP Richard Smith and ASP Ramharrack in an exercise in Penal.

Police said investigations were ongoing into the threats with the help of officers from the South Western Division under the leadership of Snr Supt Kelvern Thompson.

“The TTPS (TT Police Service) takes any threats to public safety or national security seriously, especially those that may incite violence during the lead-up to the general election scheduled for Monday 28th April, 2025,” the police said in a media release on April 11.

Citizens were reminded that freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly and within the confines of the law.

Young cautioned the public while on the pulpit in the Croisee, not to be fooled by political leaders trying to mislead them.

“What is insulting, what I find offensive as a citizen of TT and a person who cares about TT, is the way they are trying to mislead the population.

“Do not be misled by people who will promise you the world and not be able to deliver it.”