Trinidad Government Launches Review of Diplomatic Passports

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO – The Trinidad and Tobago government launched a sweeping review of diplomatic passports and will move to recover documents from several holders, including former prime minister Dr. Keith Rowley.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar confirmed that Rowley will be asked to surrender his diplomatic passport after a review found that hundreds of people were in possession of the travel documents without meeting the required criteria.

The announcement follows an earlier directive for former prime minister Stuart Young to return his diplomatic passport, making Rowley the latest high-profile figure affected as the government moves to tighten oversight of the system.

Persad-Bissessar said the review was triggered after international partners raised concerns about the issuance and possible misuse of diplomatic passports.

She added that an internal probe found that 985 individuals held diplomatic passports despite most not qualifying for them.