Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad‑Bissessar condemns racial division, urges unity

Prime Minister Kamla Persad‑Bissessar addressed the African Emancipation Day celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago, condemning the rise of racial division, political hostility and disrespect in public discourse. She said she had personally been the target of racist remarks, noting that the hurt she felt was not only for herself but reflected a deeper erosion of national cohesion.

The Prime Minister warned that a nation cannot survive if its conversation descends into personal attacks and racial prejudice, urging citizens of all backgrounds to remember their shared humanity and work together. She highlighted the country's history, rooted in the resilience of enslaved Africans, as a source of strength and called for unity as the path to future success.