COLM IMBERT WARNS OF $151B DEBT, HSF WITHDRAWALS & DEVALUATION RISK | PNM PRESS CONFERENCE 16/07/26

PNM MP and former Finance Minister Colm Imbert delivers a wide-ranging address on Trinidad and Tobago’s public debt, foreign borrowing, Heritage and Stabilisation Fund withdrawals, delayed worker payments and the state of the national economy. Imbert begins by highlighting reported payment delays affecting National Public Spaces workers, some of whom he says worked for several fortnights without receiving all the wages owed to them. He argues that when low-income workers lose their spending power, the effects spread throughout the economy—hurting landlords, shops, small businesses and service providers. He then turns to the country’s finances, estimating that Trinidad and Tobago’s public debt has risen to approximately $151 billion following recent foreign borrowing. During the press conference, Imbert raises concerns about: • Two foreign loans totalling approximately US$1.8 billion in 2026 • Borrowed funds allegedly being used to cover routine expenses and repay existing debt • Approximately $3.45 billion reportedly withdrawn from the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund • The absence of current public financial data • The cost of servicing the national debt • An alleged gap between the debt-service allocation and the amount that may actually be required • Low capital expenditure during the first six months of the fiscal year • The impact of reduced government spending on projects, jobs and economic activity • Foreign-exchange reserves and import-cover levels • The possibility of increasing pressure on the Trinidad and Tobago dollar • Claims that close relatives of government ministers are being appointed to state boards • Questions surrounding AI data centres and environmental policy Imbert also challenges the Government’s published economic figures, pointing to what he describes as a sudden change from negative 0.8% growth to positive 0.8%. He argues that declining reserves, rising foreign debt and weak development spending place Trinidad and Tobago in dangerous economic territory. He also questions why economists who regularly criticised the former PNM administration appear less vocal about the country’s current financial position. Watch Colm Imbert’s complete address and judge his arguments for yourself. Do you believe Trinidad and Tobago’s debt is being managed responsibly—or are foreign borrowing, HSF withdrawals and low development spending creating a deeper economic problem? Leave your opinion in the comments, share this video and subscribe for more political speeches, press conferences and news from Trinidad and Tobago. The figures, statements and allegations presented in this video are Colm Imbert’s arguments and should not be treated as independently established findings. #ColmImbert #PNM #NationalDebt #HeritageFund #HSF #ForeignExchange #Economy #Devaluation #TrinidadAndTobago #TriniPolitics